| Leaves alternate, entire: fls. small, in 1-sided, bractless, at first recurved, terminal racemes; calyx small, 5-cleft; corolla salverform, 5-lobed, the throat crested; stamens 5, included; ovary of 4 almost separate lobes, in fr. forming 4 smooth nutlets attached to the receptacle by their bases.—Thirty to 40 species. | | Leaves alternate, entire: fls. small, in 1-sided, bractless, at first recurved, terminal racemes; calyx small, 5-cleft; corolla salverform, 5-lobed, the throat crested; stamens 5, included; ovary of 4 almost separate lobes, in fr. forming 4 smooth nutlets attached to the receptacle by their bases.—Thirty to 40 species. |
| The following are all hardy at the North and are grown in America mainly for out-of-door planting. The flowers are normally blue, often purple when young and turning blue with age. White-flowered forms of all the species may occur. Forget-me-nots prefer moist half shady places, but an open sunny border will do if it is not excessively dry. The perennials are easily propagated by division or cuttings. Forget-me-nots of gardens (mostly M. sylvatica and M. alpestris) are spring-flowering, making a good combination with hyacinths, tulips and pansies, although they make attractive masses by themselves. Seeds may be sown from spring to August for the next season's bloom; the plants should have protection in winter. Early-started plants may be used for forcing in a cool greenhouse. Renew the outdoor plants often. | | The following are all hardy at the North and are grown in America mainly for out-of-door planting. The flowers are normally blue, often purple when young and turning blue with age. White-flowered forms of all the species may occur. Forget-me-nots prefer moist half shady places, but an open sunny border will do if it is not excessively dry. The perennials are easily propagated by division or cuttings. Forget-me-nots of gardens (mostly M. sylvatica and M. alpestris) are spring-flowering, making a good combination with hyacinths, tulips and pansies, although they make attractive masses by themselves. Seeds may be sown from spring to August for the next season's bloom; the plants should have protection in winter. Early-started plants may be used for forcing in a cool greenhouse. Renew the outdoor plants often. |
| + | M. Victoria is a fasciated form with hollow St., much crowded, branched, condensed and malformed infl. and irregular enlarged corolla. It is said to come true to seed. Probably derived from M. alpestris. See G.C. III. 10:159; 17:650 (1895).—M. Welwitschii, Boiss. & Reut. A Spanish species with large blue fls. |