Meaning, care, sowing & symbolism
Small, blue, and blessed with the most beautiful name in the flower world — the forget-me-not does not need a grand stage to be unforgettable.
The forget-me-not is one of the few flowers whose name says it all. In almost every European language, it has a similar name: “Forget-me-not” in English, “Ne m'oubliez pas” in French, “Nontiscordardimé” in Italian. And in Austria, it grows wild along stream banks, in meadows, and in cottage gardens — so naturally that it is almost overlooked.
And yet this tiny blue flower has one of the richest symbolic histories in European culture. Here, we explore what the forget-me-not truly means, how to care for it in the garden, and why it deserves far more attention.
Quick profile: forget-me-not
Botanical name: Myosotis
Origin: Europe (native to Austria)
Species: approx. 50, several of them growing wild in Austria
Hardy: yes, fully hardy
Flowering season: April–June
Height: 15–30 cm
Colours: blue, pink, white
Difficulty: very easy
Meaning of the forget-me-not
The meaning of the forget-me-not is faithful love, remembrance, and connection. The best-known legend dates back to the Middle Ages: a knight was picking flowers by the riverbank for his beloved, slipped, and was swept away by the current. Before he disappeared beneath the water, he threw the bouquet to her and cried, “Forget me not!”
No one knows whether the story is true. But it has turned the flower into a symbol of eternal loyalty and remembrance. In Austria and Germany, forget-me-nots are traditionally given as a sign of connection — not passionate love (that’s what roses are for), but quiet, enduring affection.
In the 20th century, the forget-me-not also became a symbol of remembrance. In many countries, it is used as a sign of Alzheimer’s awareness and as a memorial flower for the deceased.
Forget-Me-Nots in the Garden
The forget-me-not is one of the easiest flowers to care for. It self-seeds, returns year after year, and slowly spreads — without you having to do a thing. In Austrian gardens, it is often found beneath fruit trees, along pathways, and in partially shaded corners.
Garden forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica) are biennial: in the first year they form a leaf rosette, and in the second year they flower. After that, the plants die back, but by then they have long since self-seeded. Once you have forget-me-nots in the garden, they stay with you forever.
Location: partial shade to shade, with moist soil. They tolerate full sun too, but only if the soil does not dry out. They feel most at home beneath shrubs, by the edge of a pond, or in the shade of walls.
Sowing Forget-Me-Nots
Sowing forget-me-nots is easy. Scatter the seeds directly into the bed in June or July, press them down lightly, and keep them moist. The seeds germinate within two to three weeks. By the first autumn, small rosettes will form and survive the winter. They flower the following spring.
If you want to make it even easier: simply buy a few flowering forget-me-not plants, place them in the garden, and let them finish blooming. The seeds will scatter on their own, and next year you’ll have twice as many.
Tip: Use forget-me-nots as underplanting for tulips and daffodils. Their blue flowers create a beautiful carpet beneath the taller spring blooms — a timeless classic in Dutch and Austrian gardens.
Forget-Me-Nots in Austria
Several species of forget-me-not are native to Austria. The woodland forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) grows in forests and meadows all the way up into the Alps. The marsh forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) is found along stream banks and in damp meadows. The alpine forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris) even grows at elevations above 2,000 meters — a delicate blue wonder nestled between rocks and snowfields.
In Styria and Carinthia, you can see entire meadows in May washed blue with forget-me-nots — a sight that makes every spring walk unforgettable.
Forget-me-not as a cut flower
As a cut flower, forget-me-not is rather unusual — the stems are short and the blooms are tiny. But arranged in small posies, in a cup or a preserving jar, they are utterly charming. They last three to five days in a vase. Especially lovely paired with daisies, small ranunculus or baby's breath.
Fresh flowers at MoBlumen Vienna
Seasonal bouquets, baby's breath and more — hand-tied, with delivery in Vienna.
Frequently asked questions about forget-me-not
Mildly toxic. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause liver damage if larger quantities are swallowed. In practice, the risk is low, as no one eats large amounts of it. Still, it is not suitable for children or pets to consume.
The individual plant is biennial and dies after flowering. But it self-seeds so reliably that it seems perennial. Once in the garden, always in the garden.
Yes, there are varieties in pink and white. Interestingly, the flowers of many forget-me-not species open pink at first and then turn blue — the colour change is linked to the pH level in the petals.
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Hand-tied bouquets and houseplants — delivery in Vienna.
