Transplanting Forget-me-nots

Forget-me-nots always bring memories of my mother.

I spent some time this morning transplanting some forget-me-nots that appear to have sprung from nowhere last year. The tiny little plants peeked through my garden fence and were mown down several times last year. Each time, I promised that I would be back later and dig them up, but as you may have guessed that didn't happen - until now.

I couldn't help but wonder whose hand had planted them there and how many years they had survived unnoticed. I suspect that the seeds or a stray plant came along when I moved here 7 years ago, as I had tons of forget-me-nots at my old home. Somehow (probably because they had not yet come up when I moved) I forgot to dig any up to bring with me. I have thought of them often.

Today, they brought memories of my mother as I tenderly planted them beside the phlox I got from her old garden last summer. There is something magical about gazing at blooms and inhaling the scent from her flowers so many years after she has passed.

Forget-me-nots are forgiving flowers and will survive under nearly any circumstances. You can dig them up any time of the year to replant them and they will continue to grow for years. If you choose to transplant forget-me-nots to your yard or garden there are a few things you should know.

• Forget-me-nots are invasive. If you don't want these dainty little flowers naturalizing in your yard, plant them in a pot and pick off the seed pods before the seeds disperse.
• Forget-me-nots prefer moist soil, but will survive in poor dry soil. 
• Forget-me-nots grown in poor soil will produce small plants and few flowers.
• Forget-me-nots prefer full or partial shade. You will often find forget-me-nots under the canopy of trees or under porches or decks.

While some gardeners avoid forget-me-nots because of their tendency to spread to other areas, I'm not one of them. I love the look of these delicate flowers swaying in the summer breeze.