Forget-Me-Not Chinese Planting Zones
- Chinese forget-me-not is planted in gardens from Alaska to Florida and Hawaii. It grows quickly to flower and produce seeds before withering away in heat or when the first fall frost occurs. Seeds left in the soil after flowers ripen will germinate when soil moisture and cool spring or fall temperatures dictate, especially in USDA zones 6b through 8. It may grow as a biennial since it sprouts in fall and does not flower until the following spring or early summer.
- Gardeners sow Chinese forget-me-not seeds in either autumn or spring. The seeds are sown where the plants are to remain. Seedlings do not transplant well. In mild winter regions, such as USDA hardiness zones 7 and warmer, sow seeds in autumn. In Hawaii and South Florida, late fall or midwinter sowing is ideal. This allows germination across the cool winter or early spring months. In cold winter regions, sow seeds in spring once the ground is no longer frozen and the danger of frost has passed.
- Chinese forget-me-nots grow best in full sun to partial shaded garden beds in which crumbly textured soil is not too fertile. Overly rich soil causes plants to become coarse and leafy and not produce a large mass of flowers. Avoid compacted and heavy clay soils that do not drain well after rain.
- Cultivate the soil to a depth of 4 to 5 inches prior to sowing seeds. Break up soil clumps and create as fine a soil texture as possible. Sow Chinese forget-me-not seeds 1/8 inch deep. Some gardeners scratch the seed barely into the soil surface. Make sure seed is covered, however, as darkness promotes more timely germination in moist soil. Once it begins to grow, keep the soil evenly moist if rainfall is lacking. In regions with cold winters or long, hot summers, the dropped seeds may not remain viable until the following spring or fall. Some may sprout, but plan on sowing fresh seeds each year for another flowering display.