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Myosotis sylvatica 'Bluesylva' (Bluesylva Forget-Me-Not)
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© Hansueli Krapf, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons

Myosotis sylvatica 'Bluesylva'

Bluesylva Forget-Me-Not

Garden selection; species {Myosotis sylvatica} is native to Europe — woodlands and meadows

At a Glance

FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 inches (20-30 cm)
Width8-12 inches (20-30 cm)
Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Overview

Myosotis sylvatica 'Bluesylva' is a selected form of the woodland forget-me-not with a true sky-blue color, growing 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) tall and wide. The genus name Myosotis means 'mouse ear', describing the small, hairy, ear-shaped leaves. Tiny true sky-blue flowers with bright yellow eyes in scorpioid cyme clusters (the flower stem curls like a scorpion's tail, unfurling as new flowers open) bloom from April through June. The sky-blue color is among the purest, truest blues in the spring garden — a clear, clean blue without violet or purple undertones. 'Bluesylva' was selected for the most uniform, intense blue. The biennial to short-lived perennial lifecycle means the plant grows a rosette in year one, blooms and sets seed in year two, then dies — but self-sows prolifically to create permanent self-renewing colonies. The longstanding companion to spring tulips and daffodils — the blue carpet of forget-me-nots beneath tulip stems is an iconic garden image. Moist, partial shade. Spent brown plants can be removed in summer after seed has dropped. Deer avoid the hairy foliage.

Native Range

The species Myosotis sylvatica is native to Europe — woodlands and meadows. 'Bluesylva' is a garden selection for true blue color.

Suggested Uses

Used as a spring carpet beneath tulips and daffodils — an iconic combination. Woodland gardens, shade borders, and naturalized areas. The pure sky-blue spring flower. Self-sowing cottage garden traditional. Containers (1 gallon / 3.8 L) for spring displays.

How to Identify

Identified by tiny true sky-blue flowers with bright yellow eyes in scorpioid (curled) cyme clusters above medium green soft hairy foliage. The scorpioid cyme — the curled flower stem — is the genus signature. The pure sky-blue among spring flowers. The soft hairy 'mouse ear' leaves confirm Myosotis.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'
Width/Spread8" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks
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Flowering from April through June, approximately 5 weeks. True sky-blue with yellow eyes.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

True sky-blue with yellow eye, tiny, in scorpioid cyme clusters

Foliage Description

Medium green, soft, hairy, lance-shaped

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Requires 4-6 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full sun. Moist soil. Self-sowing maintains the colony — biennial lifecycle depends on it. Spent brown plants can be removed in summer after seed drops. Self-renewing colonies establish over 2–3 years.

Pruning

Spent brown plants can be removed in summer after seed has dropped. No other maintenance — the colony self-renews by self-sowing.

Pruning Schedule

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summer

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic