Myosotis sylvatica 'Bluesylva'
Bluesylva forget-me-not
Garden selection; species {Myosotis sylvatica} is native to Europe — woodlands and meadows
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 spp. 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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
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 clustersFoliage Description
Medium green, soft, hairy, lance-shapedGrowing 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
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
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons