Cynoglossum

( sigh - noh - GLOSS - um )

At-A-Glance Information

These wild-looking flowering perennials and biennials (which are commonly grown as annuals) are great for beds and borders and produce flowers in blue, white or pink. They resemble Forget-Me-Nots (and are related). These flowers are native to Eurasia, Asia, New Guinea, and Australia, and typically reach a few feet tall, with green foliage. Use these flowers as members of mixed beds or borders, in cottage, informal, or pollinator gardens, or in containers. If you have livestock on your property, take care when planting these as they are toxic to these animals. There are also some species listed below that are toxic to pets and humans, as well.

Cynoglossum Species and Varietals

The genus Cynoglossum includes 75 species and is a member of the plant family Boraginaceae. The genus name Cynoglossum is derived from the Greek 'kunoglossen' (dog's tongue), referring to the shape and roughness of the leaves. The best growing zones for Cynoglossum vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Cynoglossum amabile (Chinese Forget-Me-Not, Chinese Hound's Tongue)
This is a biennial plant generally grown as an annual, native to East Asia. It will grow best in zones A2, A3, 1-24, H1 and H2. These plants reach 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Leaves are soft, hairy and grey-green, and springtime flowers form in loose sprays of blue, pink, or white. Sow seeds in place in fall or early spring. Hardy species that needs full sun and regular water.

Cynoglossum australe (Australian Hound's Tongue)
Native to Australia, these plants are commonly found growing in a wide range of habitats, from woodlands to grasslands to sandy dunes. These upright herbaceous perennials reach between 12 and 30 inches tall on average at maturity, and produce blue, pink, or whitish flowers in spring and summertime.

Cynoglossum creticum (Blue Hound's Tongue)
These plants are native to the Mediterranean Basin, including the island of Crete, and is considered invasive in some areas of the United States (especially in Texas and Missouri). Flowers are blue, and bloom in spring and summertime. Check with your local authority before planting to see if this species is considered an invasive in your area. 

Cynoglossum germanicum (Green Houndstongue)
These plants are native to Europe (first discovered in Germany, hence germanicum) and reach just under 30 inches tall when in bloom. They are biennials or short-lived perennials that produces shiny light green leaves and small pink flowers with large burgundy bracts.

Cynoglossum grande (Adelinia grandis) (Western Hound's Tongue, Pacific Hound's Tongue)
This perennial grows best in zones 4-9 and 14-24 and is native to Oregon and California coastal ranges and the slopes of the Sierra Nevadas. Leaves are hairy and plants generally reach 2.5 feet tall and 1 foot wide. They will die back in summertime to a heavy, underground root. Flowers appear in spring and are blue with white centers. Loves cool, woodsy soil and little summer water.

Cynoglossum lanceolatum (Lance-Leaf Forget-Me-Not)
These many-branching perennials produce small blue flowers and are native to Ethiopia, South Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Middle East through to China. These plants are cultivated and harvested in their native range by local populations as food and medicine.

Cynoglossum officinale (Houndstongue, Hound's Tooth, Dog's Tongue, Gypsy Flower, Rats and Mice)
This species can either be an annual or a biennial, and produces greyish-green hairy leaves and reddish-purple flowers between the months of May and September. These plants are native to Europe and are an introduced species in North America. The common name Rats and Mice refers to the smell the plant exudes.

Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Ceylon Hound's Tongue, Ceylon Forget-Me-Not, Indian Hound's Tongue)
These plants, native to Asia, can be found growing wild in many areas of North America. Flowers are sky blue, and foliage is green. 

Caring for Cynoglossum

Plant Cynoglossum in full sun to partial shade. These flowers will perform best when they receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden, or starts can be purchased at a reputable nursery. They prefer to be grown in well-draining soil that is rich in nutrients with a neutral to acidic pH.  If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold. New plantings should be watered regularly as they establish a strong root system. Mature plants enjoy an evenly moist (but not soggy) substrate.

Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. This one feeding will be sufficient to carry the plants through their active growing and blooming seasons. Pruning is not necessary for these plants, though any damaged, diseased, or otherwise unsightly foliage can be trimmed off at any time during the growing season in order to clean up the look of the plant. Spent blooms can also be trimmed off, which will neaten the appearance as well as discourage plants from re-seeding and taking over garden beds.

Propagation

Cynoglossum plants, because they are annuals or biennials that bloom in their first year, are best propagated from seed. They will re-seed freely in the garden, so if spent flower heads are left on plants, gardeners really do not need to do much to propagate them; volunteer seedlings can be dug up and moved wherever desired. To intentionally propagate Cynoglossum, or Chinese Forget-Me-Not, plants, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cynoglossum by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 5-10 from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Cynoglossum immature seeds on a flower stalk.
Cynoglossum seeds are somewhat spikey.

Problems and Pests

Although Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not) plants are considered pest and disease resistant for the most part, they can suffer from time to time from issues with the following:
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Root Rot
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Mealybugs
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and prevent them, see the following pages:
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Gallery

Flowers of different ages can be blue to pink, creating a multicolored effect.
These flowers are popular with pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Here, Cynoglossum is planted alongside  variegated Coleus.
Forget-Me-Nots are common inclusions in cut flower arrangements.
This pollinator garden features Cynoglossum, Tulips, and Poppies.
These beautiful arrangements feature Cynoglossum, Rose, and Poppy.

Videos

Growing Cynoglossum in a flower tunnel.
Learn about the invasive potential of some species of Cynoglossum.

Resources

How to Grow and Care for Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum amabile)
Cynoglossum Growing Guide
Wikipedia: Cynoglossum
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 277, Cynoglossum
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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