Alaska State Flower Alpine Forget-me-not
Alaskan Floral Symbol Myosotis alpestris asiatica
Aug 5, 2008
The state flower of Alaska is the forget-me-not and was officially selected in 1949. It was first adopted by a group of Alaskan pioneers in 1907. Even though the Alpine Forget-me-not is the Alaskan State Flower, it is native to other area of the United States. This flowering herbacious plant is found growing wild in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
Forget-me-not Botanical Information
This forget-me-not is also known as Myosotis sylvatica var. alpestris and is hardy from zones 3-9. There are biennial forget-me-nots but the frequent self-sowing means they act more like perennial plants. The bright blue flowers appear in the spring and can last for several weeks. Gardeners should expect this compact ground cover to grow about 6-9 inches tall, making it a great choice for using around larger perennial plants. In warmer climates the forget-me-not can be evergreen so the foliage stays attractive all year. The flowers of the forget-me-not are small, five-petaled blooms that provide a lot of color in the garden. Even though the individual flowers are very small, the overall effect is a lovely, carpeted effect in the garden.
Growing Forget-me-not plants in the Garden
One doesn't have to live in Alaska to want to add this charming plant to a shady landscape area. Forget-me-not plants might be a good choice for a ground cover in a shady garden spot. Some gardeners may find this perennial invasive in the garden but others will appreciate the ready self-sowing in the landscape. Simply weed out or mulch over the forget-me-not plants that pop up where they aren't desired. Forget-me-not plants do best in moist soil conditions so the plant may not spread as readily in drier garden conditions.
Using Forget-me-not Plants in the Garden
The Alaskan state flower, Forget-me-not, has several good uses for gardeners to incorporate into their landscape designs. The diminutive size makes forget-me-not a good choice for rock gardens or small garden spaces. Since the semi-evergreen plant only grows 6-12 inches tall it also makes a good ground cover to use around shrubs, ornamental trees or larger perennial and annual plants. Consider interplanting the forget-me-not plants with yellow colored bulbs that will show off against the tiny, blue flowers in mid-spring.
Common Pests of Forget-me-not Plants
Forget-me-nots can attract red mites and also suffer from powdery mildew and leaf rot. If you notice powdery mildew consider planting in a slightly more sunny location or decreasing the amount of water a little bit more.
