The Growing Stages of Forget-Me-Nots

Seed

• Like many plants, forget-me-nots start their natural life from seed. Seeds are compact units of nutrition and genetic information that activate when placed in the proper environment. For the forget-me-not, several environments make an adequate seeding spot. These flowers grow in loamy soil under full sun but also grow well in shade and sandy or clay soils. Seeds require 4 to 5 inches of space between them for optimal development.

Germination

• Once the seed recognizes the nutrients surrounding it, the forget-me-not germinates. A member of the dicotyledon group of flowering plants, the forget-me-not germinates with two leaves on its initial stem, pushing up out of the ground as its primary root begins to work its way into the ground. This tiny stem contains all the necessary ingredients for photosynthesis and will start the process of energy production and growth immediately.

Blossom

• The forget-me-not continues its upward climb, and small buds begin to form in clumps around the primary and secondary stems. These clumps soon blossom into brightly colored flowers. Forget-me-not bloom colors range from white, pink and red to blue, purple and yellow. Different species blossom at different times of year. These flowers contain the genetic material of the next generation and, provided they pollinate, will produce seeds.

Wilt

• After the growing season, the flowers begin to fade and eventually wilt. This is the end of the flowers’ life and also the time when successfully pollinated flowers emit their seeds. The seeds benefit from the death of the flower, since the nutrients from the decaying bio-matter return to the soil.

Perennial

• In some cases, the nutrients of the fallen dead flowers also come to the aid of the parent plant. Many species of forget-me-nots are perennial. This means they return for the next growing season and even the season after that. Other flowers from the group are biennial. This means they will return only once, two seasons from when they were planted.