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Giant-Forget-Me-Not

Cynoglossum virginianum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Giant-Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum virginianum)
Photo: (c) Carol Ann McCormick, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Giant-Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum virginianum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

8"–24" H × 8"–16" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 26 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

South Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsPiedmontEastern Corn Belt PlainsNortheastern HighlandsErie Drift PlainMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal Plain

Wild comfrey is a native woodland perennial with soft, hairy leaves and small white to pale blue flowers that bloom in spring. This shade-loving plant forms modest clumps and naturally goes dormant in summer heat, making it well-suited for naturalized areas under trees.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Giant-Forget-Me-Not takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Goes completely dormant by midsummer leaving bare spots
  • Hairy leaves and informal growth habit appear weedy
  • Short bloom period followed by long dormancy

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract native bees, beetles, and flies during an important early-season nectar period. The plant also serves as a host for some butterfly caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does Giant-Forget-Me-Not need?
Giant-Forget-Me-Not grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Giant-Forget-Me-Not bloom?
Giant-Forget-Me-Not blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Giant-Forget-Me-Not native?
Giant-Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum virginianum) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 26 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Giant-Forget-Me-Not attract?
Giant-Forget-Me-Not draws bees, beetles, and flies.
Is Giant-Forget-Me-Not HOA-friendly?
Giant-Forget-Me-Not takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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