As a little girl, I always loved these small, delicate blue flowers called Forget me nots. They would never let you forget them, either! Their leaves would stick to most clothing textiles, and you could pin them to your breast, wandering through your day, with a tiny blue bunch of sweetness reminding you to enjoy the beauty of nature.
They are excellent self seeders, sometimes becoming quite rampant if not kept in check, and they are perfect for filling in patches of your garden to add colour and interest. They do come in pink, cream and white varieties, but I think most would associate Forget me nots with blue and mauve.
I was interested in how they got their name, and one little story tugged my heart. It is said in German folklore, that God named each plant and was almost finished, when one small one cried out "forget me not"! And God replied, that will be your name.
It's official name is myosotis and it belongs to the borage family. It is excellent for a shady spot, but also performs well in full sun, so long as it is well watered in the hot summer months. They do prefer a bit of humidity and moisture, but to be honest, planted in the right spot, it does quite well on it's own. Often used in medieval times as a flower associated with remembering ones lover, it is a simple and delightful little addition to any garden.
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