Chinese Forget-Me-Not ‘Blue Showers’
Cynoglossum amabile
Description
Unlike traditional biennial forget-me-nots, which require a full year to bloom, Chinese forget-me-nots can be grown as an annual crop and flower just 3 months from sowing. ‘Blue Showers’ produces an abundance of tall, delicate sapphire-smothered stems that look incredible en masse and mixed into arrangements.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 85 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: when 8 in tall
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 85 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: when 8 in tall
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Seeds require total darkness to germinate, so cover and place in a dark room until they sprout.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when one-quarter of the flowers on a stem are open. It’s especially wilt prone, so be sure to cut during the coolest part of the day. Immediately after harvest, dip the bottom few inches of the stems in boiling water for 7 to 10 seconds, or use Quick Dip, then place into cool water. Expect a vase life of 5 to 7 days.
Details
Description
Unlike traditional biennial forget-me-nots, which require a full year to bloom, Chinese forget-me-nots can be grown as an annual crop and flower just 3 months from sowing. ‘Blue Showers’ produces an abundance of tall, delicate sapphire-smothered stems that look incredible en masse and mixed into arrangements.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 85 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: when 8 in tall
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 85 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: when 8 in tall
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Seeds require total darkness to germinate, so cover and place in a dark room until they sprout.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when one-quarter of the flowers on a stem are open. It’s especially wilt prone, so be sure to cut during the coolest part of the day. Immediately after harvest, dip the bottom few inches of the stems in boiling water for 7 to 10 seconds, or use Quick Dip, then place into cool water. Expect a vase life of 5 to 7 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101
Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series
In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.
