Myosotis discolor
changing forget-me-not
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
Overview
Myosotis discolor is a slender annual forget-me-not 5-30 cm (2-12 in) tall, with one or few upright, hairy stems rising from a basal rosette. The small leaves are oblong, hairy, and stalkless on the stem, the lower ones forming a loose rosette that often withers by flowering time. The tiny flowers, only 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 in) across, open pale cream or yellow and change through the day to pink and then blue or violet, so a single coiled spray carries several colours at once, the feature behind the common name changing forget-me-not. The flowers sit in coiled clusters that straighten as they open from the base. It is short-lived, completing its life in a single season, and relies on freely shed seed to return. Plants grow on dry, open, sandy or gravelly ground and quickly die back as the soil dries in summer. The minute flowers make it easy to overlook beside larger garden forget-me-nots.
Native Range
Myosotis discolor is native to Europe and North Africa, growing in dry grassland, heaths, dunes, and disturbed sandy ground. It has naturalized in North America, Australia, and other temperate regions.Suggested Uses
Grown in sandy wildflower plantings, gravel gardens, and the open edges of paths for its colour-changing flowers. It suits naturalistic and pollinator schemes on poor, dry ground. Its tiny flowers and short life make it a filler rather than a feature.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 1'
Width/Spread2" - 6"
Bloom Information
Flowers open from April to June (mid to late spring) over a few weeks. Each coiled spray unrolls from the base, with the youngest cream flowers at the tip and older blue ones below. Bloom finishes as plants set seed and die down in early summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to yellow ageing to pink and blueFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Myosotis discolor grows in full sun to light shade on dry, free-draining sandy or gravelly soil of low fertility, and prefers a slightly acid to neutral pH around 5.5 to 7.0. It is grown from seed sown in autumn or spring and needs no transplanting, flowering quickly and dying after seeding. The plant tolerates drought and poor soil but fails in rich, damp, or shaded ground where larger plants crowd it out. No feeding is needed, and rich soil shortens its life. It self-seeds where the ground stays open, so leaving some seed to fall keeps a colony going.Pruning
No routine pruning is needed for this short-lived annual. Spent plants are pulled once they have set seed and yellowed. Some seed heads are left to ensure self-seeding for the following year.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Toxic to pets and humansPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
autumn or spring
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Plant Spacing
4 inches