Forget Me Not Seeds - Firmament - Hound's Tongue - Cynoglossom amabile

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

USDA Zones 2-10 - Chinese Forget-Me-Not is grown as a hardy annual across all of these zones. Though technically a biennial, it flowers in its first year and readily self-seeds to return the following season.

Best Performance in Zones 4-8 where it thrives in full sun and moderate summer temperatures, producing the most prolific blooms over a long season.

Northern Zones (2-5) - A perfect summer annual. Direct sow seeds after the last frost. It will grow quickly and bloom from early summer right up until the first hard frost in the fall.

Hot Climate Zones (8-10) - Tolerates heat better than true forget-me-nots. Plant in early spring for summer flowers. In the hottest regions, planting in a location with afternoon shade can prolong blooming. A fall sowing is also very successful for a spectacular and long-lasting spring bloom.

Soil Temperature - Germination is most successful in cool to moderately warm soil, with an ideal temperature range of 60-70 degrees F.

Growing Season - This is a fast-growing flower, typically blooming within 70-80 days from sowing. It provides a long season of color from late spring through summer.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring after the danger of hard frost has passed. In mild winter climates (Zones 7 and warmer), seeds can also be sown in the fall for an earlier and more robust spring bloom the following year.

Where to Plant:
Choose a location that receives full sun to light partial shade. More sun equals more flowers. It is highly adaptable and grows well in average, well-drained garden soil. It does not require rich soil.

How to Plant:

Direct Sowing (Recommended): Prepare a weed-free garden bed. Sow seeds shallowly, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep, as the seeds need some darkness to germinate.

Spacing: Plant seeds about 1 inch apart and gently firm the soil over them. Once seedlings are 3-4 inches tall, thin them to a final spacing of 6-9 inches apart to give them room to branch out.

Watering: Water the seedbed gently and keep it consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 7-21 days.

Care & Maintenance:

Watering: Water young plants regularly. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant but will perform best with consistent moisture. Avoid overwatering.

Fertilizing: This plant thrives in average soil and does not require fertilizer. Overly rich soil or too much fertilizer can lead to weak stems and fewer flowers.

Support: The tall, wiry stems generally hold themselves up well, but may benefit from some support from neighboring plants in windy locations.

Self-Seeding & Deadheading: Deadheading spent flowers can encourage a longer bloom period. However, be sure to leave some flowers to go to seed at the end of the season; the plant will readily self-sow to provide you with a free crop of new plants next spring.