Cynoglossum amabile 'Firmament' (Forget-Me-Not)
Sigh...why are so many beautiful old-fashioned plants only available at the nursery in modern dwarfed versions now? Answer: To make them easier and more affordable to transport from the grower to the retail nursery.
We get it, we're running a business too, but isn't this a huge reason why you should grow your own flowers? And why not start with super easy to grow cynoglossum? Or "forget-me-nots" as your grandmother probably would have called them.
Maybe it's simply because of the perfectly matching bright blue sky above, but we think cynoglossum is just super gorgeous anywhere. You can enjoy the romantic cloud of bright sky blue blossoms in your garden, along with the hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees that come to feed from them. Or, join us in further using it as a rare blue-colored filler in your arrangements. This is the BEST cultivar of cynoglossum to use for flower arranging.
BASIC FEATURES
Bloom Season: Late Spring and Summer
Days to Flowering: 80 - 85 days
Photoperiod Classification: Long-Day (For optimal blooming, cynoglossum needs at least 6 hours of daylight per day.)
Pinch: Yes, pinch in early spring to promote a bushier habit.
Deadhead: Yes, to encourage rebloom and delay seed development
Staking: Not necessary
Height at Maturity: 18 - 24"
Recommended Spacing: 9 - 12"
STARTING SEEDS INDOORS
When to Sow: February - early March
When to Harden Off: About 4 weeks after germination
When to Transplant to Garden: About 5 to 6 weeks after germination
STARTING SEEDS OUTDOORS
When to Direct Sow Seeds in the Garden: As soon as the soil can be worked, typically mid-to-late February in our area
FOR FLOWER ARRANGING
For maximum vase life: Once 1/3 of the flowers are open, harvest the main central stem at almost ground level, just above the lowest three to four side shoots. Cut subsequent (i.e., future) stems at the base. Always cut stems at a 45-degree angle for maximum water uptake, and place them directly into fresh, lukewarm water with flower food, in a cool, draft-free area, out of direct sunlight. Trim away any wilted or browning leaves that develop, which can draw away moisture from the blossoms.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS TO YOUR GARDEN
Attracts and Supports: hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees, and bumblebees
Ignored by: Deer and Rabbits
SEED COUNT: 100 SEEDS