Catmint

Related to catnip but far showier, catmints (Nepeta) are easy perennials with purple-blue, pink, or white flowers and attractive gray-green foliage all season.

About This Plant

Most familiar are purple-blue types blooming heavily in early summer, ranging from 1 to 3–4 feet tall—useful in borders, rock gardens, edging. Classic combo: underplant hybrid tea roses to hide "bare knees" and complement roses with soft blue flowers. Also come in pale pink, white, even yellow (N. govaniana). All attract bees and butterflies. Most hardy Zones 3–8.

Popular Varieties

• Faassen's Catmint (N. x faassenii): Sterile flowers (no self-sowing). Cultivars: 'Blue Wonder' (1–2 ft, dark blue), 'Kit Kat' (18 in, long-bloom), 'Walker's Low' (2–3 ft, lavender-blue), 'White Wonder' (white), 'Six Hills Giant' (3–4 ft, deep purple).
• Siberian Catmint (N. sibirica): 2–3 ft upright, larger greener leaves, rich blue whorled clusters.
• Japanese Catmint (N. subsessilis): Prefers moist soil. 'Candy Cat' (2 ft, dense pale lavender-pink clusters).
• Yellow Catnip (N. govaniana): Himalayan native, yellow flowers in loose clusters, mid-late summer.

Site Selection

Full sun, well-drained, not overly fertile soil. Hot summer areas benefit from afternoon shade. Drought-tolerant once established.

Planting Instructions

Container plants anytime. Space small cultivars 18–24 inches, tall 30 inches. Loosen soil 12–15 inches, add 2–4 inches compost. Plant at container depth, water well.

Care

Shear by 1/3 after first bloom for second flush. Divide every 3–4 years in spring/fall. Water new plants regularly. Protect young plants from cats with chicken wire domes. Annual compost in fall/spring suffices.