Thank you for visiting The Woodlands!
We’re glad you stopped to say hello! We’ll be sitting out at the Paul Cret Front Gates whenever possible on nice days this spring, talking to visitors and answering questions about The Woodlands. Because we are such a vital and historic open space in the city, many people assume we are public property. That is far from the truth. The Woodlands is a privately owned nonprofit. Our programs, operations, and the management and maintenance of our facilities depend on the generosity of our visitors.
We hope you’ll consider becoming a member of The Woodlands or make a contribution today to help us continue to thrive.
Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum amabile)
Growing Information
DAYS TO GERMINATION: 5-8 days at 65-70°F (18-21°C)
SOWING: Transplant - Sow 3-4 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after last frost. Direct seed - Sow as soon as soil can be worked. Cover seeds lightly with soil as darkness is required for germination.
LIGHT PREFERENCE: Sun/Part Shade.
PLANT HEIGHT: 18-24".
PLANT SPACING: 9-12".
HARDINESS ZONES: Annual.
HARVEST: 1/2 the florets are open.
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Moderate to well-drained soil.
USES: Cut flower, garden beds, and beneficial insect plantings.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cynoglossum amabile
ALTERNATE NAME: Chinese hound's tongue
Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds (one of our favorite seed providers)
There’s no flower as memorable as the Forget-Me-Not…
A brief overview of the history & symbolism of these beautiful blooms from the Farmers’ Almanac
“Famous for their delicate blue flowers, when grown well, they’re prolific bloomers that will flower throughout most of the growing season. And in addition to adding a pretty shade of blue to your garden, they’re rich in lore and symbolism.
True Love + Respect: “When you give someone these tiny blooms, it represents a promise that you will always remember them and will keep them in your thoughts. They are also considered a symbol of fidelity and faithfulness.”
Legends + Lore: “One story describes a German knight who was strolling with his lady along the banks of the Danube river. The lady saw pretty blue flowers—but they’d been pulled loose by the river’s flow and were about to disappear downstream. She wanted to save the flowers, so her chivalrous knight jumped into the water. He couldn’t fight the strong current, so he tossed the flowers onto the bank, and as he was carried out to sea, he called out, vergiss mein nicht, which is German for “forget me not.”
Another legend says that the German knight didn’t leap into the river after the flowers, but rather bent to pick some for his lady when the weight of his armor caused him to topple into the water—and then he called out “forget me not” as he was swept away. A separate German tale says the name was chosen when God was naming flowers. This one was the last, and the flower cried out, “Forget me not, O Lord,” to which God pronounced, “That shall be your name!”