Nepeta, Catmint
Nepeta (Catmint), is an easy to grow problem free perennial
Nepeta, commonly known as Catmint, is a carefree member of the mint family. There are over 250 species of Nepeta, the Catmints are cultivated for garden plants. These tough perennials require little attention and are rarely bothered by pests or disease. Catmint will bloom for months even without deadheading, producing 8 to 9” spikes loaded with small blooms from early summer to frost.
Catmint will often have a somewhat sprawling habit, roughly mounded. The growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hillsides, front of a large border, ground cover or lining a winding pathway. The gray green foliage is rather delicate looking and creates a soft billowy look in and out of bloom. Nepeta thrives on neglect, and the slightly aromatic foliage will be stronger scented in poor soil. Blooming is also enhanced by stressed conditions.
Some varieties of Nepeta will tend to sprawl and flatten out after flowering. If cut back the plant will refresh somewhat when new foliage grows in. However all the cultivars listed here resist that tendency and remain nicely formed throughout the growing season.
Older varieties of Nepeta have earned a reputation for being aggressive spreaders, but new varieties are much better behaved. Look for sterile varieties that will not produce viable seeds if you need to keep spreading under control. The catnips, Nepeta cataria, also have a reputation for attracting cats of course, but that is not a real issue with the garden cultivars hybrids of Catmint.
Extra hardy blue flowering varieties of Catmint are an excellent substitute in cold climates for Lavender, which is much less hardy. In hot climates Catmint will prefer some shade in the heat of the day. The gray green foliage and pastel bloom colors add a perfect calming note to bright summer flowers. Fast growth in spring make Nepeta a perfect choice to get the garden growing in the North and Midwest. Expect Nepeta to live for approximately 10 years, but can be maintained endlessly with division to propagate new young plants.
Nepeta racemosa x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’
Common Name: Catmint
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 24 - 30”
Spread: 30 - 36”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to part shade
Water Requirements: Average to dry, very drought tolerant
Soil Requirements: Average well drained soil, tolerates poor and rocky soil as well as dry clay. Neutral pH.
Growth Habit: Low growing, mounded, somewhat sprawling
Bloom Time: April through September
Bloom Color: Blue lavender
Bloom Form: Small nodding bells borne on 9 inch arched spikes
Foliage: Soft gray green small, heart shaped ovate leaves along single stems
Fragrance: Foliage is highly aromatic when crushed, spicy mint scent. Scent is strongest when grown in lean dry soils.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Fertilize: Do not fertilize, especially in richer soils. Too much fertilizer will cause the flower stems to droop and produce fewer blooms.
Maintenance: Virtually maintenance free. In mid summer spent blooms can be sheared off to produce a new flush of blooms in August. May be divided in spring every 3 or 4 years, or if the plant loses vigor.
Other: Attracts Butterflies and pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant. Slight tolerance to salt.
Hardiness: Zones 3 to 8
‘Walker’s Low’ grows quickly each spring and is soon covered by an abundance of blue flowers along the long stems. It prefers a bright sunny spot with room to spread out, and will do very well in hot dry spots with little or no supplemental water. Don’t be fooled by the name, ‘Walker’s Low’ can grow up to three feet high and wide. Walkers Low is actually a place in England. But the well behaved ‘Walker’s Low’ is sterile, so it will not multiply by seed and does not spread by underground rhizomes.
Like all Nepeta, ‘Walker’s Low” loves the sun, but in hot zones it will benefit from a little shade in the heat of the day. When grown in shade this catmint will do quite well but will not flower well. It can still be an excellent foliage plant for more shady areas of your garden that need a generous ground cover. ‘Walker’s Low’ has sterile seed so it will not take over the garden. Propagate by division or cuttings.
The soft blue flowers and gray green foliage create an excellent contrast to bright Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susans. ‘Walker’s Low’ is tough and sturdy and excellent boulevard plant where soils are generally poor, dry and assaulted by winter road salt.
Nepeta racemosa x faassenii (gigantean) ‘Six Hills Giant’
Common Name: Catmint
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 36”
Spread: 30 - 36”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Mostly Sunny
Water Requirements: Average to dry, very drought tolerant. Somewhat tolerant of damp conditions.
Soil Requirements: Average well drained soil, tolerates poor and rocky soil as well as dry clay. Neutral pH.
Growth Habit: Low growing, mounded, somewhat sprawling
Bloom Time: April through September
Bloom Color: Blue lavender
Bloom Form: Small nodding bells borne on 9 inch arched spikes
Foliage: Soft gray green small, narrow ovate leaves along single stems, slightly hairy
Fragrance: Foliage is highly aromatic when crushed, spicy mint scent. Scent is strongest when grown in lean dry soils.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Fertilize: Do not fertilize, especially in richer soils. Too much fertilizer will cause the flower stems to droop and produce fewer blooms.
Maintenance: Virtually maintenance free. In mid summer spent blooms can be sheared off to produce a new flush of blooms in August. May be divided every 3 or 4 years, or if the plant loses vigor.
Other: Attracts Butterflies and pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant. Slight tolerance to salt.
Hardiness: Zones 3 to 8
‘Six Hills Giant’ Nepeta is one of the tallest Catmint. ‘Six Hills Giant’ is a gardener’s favorite because is this so hardy and more tolerant of damp conditions, which makes it easier to grow along side thirstier plants. This is also one of the longest blooming of the Nepeta.
Broad growing foliage is fragrant and vigorous. Blooming period is the longest of the catmints, with rich violet blue blooms in abundance. ‘Six Hills Giant’ blooms heavily in June and July, but will continue well into fall. These broad plants are excellent for slopes that tend to be hot and dry, and is a perfect ground cover for large properties.
In early spring cut the plant back to within about 6 inches from the ground. Divide every 3 or 4 years as vigor and blooming declines. ‘Six Hills Giant’ is sterile, so you may also propagate by division.
Nepeta x faassenii ‘Kit Cat’
Common Name: Catmint
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 12-18”
Spread: 12-24”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirements: Average to dry, somewhat drought tolerant.
Soil Requirements: Average well drained soil, tolerates sandy and dry soil. Neutral pH.
Growth Habit: Low growing, mounded
Bloom Time: May or June through September
Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Form: Small nodding bells borne on upright spikes in abundance
Foliage: Soft gray green small, narrow ovate leaves along single stems. Leaves are comparatively tiny, appropriate to the dwarf plant size.
Fragrance: Foliage is highly aromatic when crushed, spicy mint scent. Scent is strongest when grown in lean dry soils.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Fertilize: Do not fertilize, especially in richer soils. Too much fertilizer will cause the flower stems to droop and produce fewer blooms.
Maintenance: Virtually maintenance free. In mid summer spent blooms can be sheared off to produce a new flush of blooms in August. May be divided every 3 or 4 years, or if the plant loses vigor.
Other: Attracts Butterflies and pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant. Slight tolerance to salt.
Hardiness: Zones 3 to 8
‘Kit Cat’ is a lovely dwarf Catmint perfect for smaller gardens and front of the border. The petite plant is great for edging a garden bed, planted among rocks on a slope, along garden steps or even in containers. In cool regions full sun is best, but in hot Southern regions ‘Kit Cat’ will benefit from some afternoon shade.
‘Kit Cat’ blooms are small but numerous, creating a dense blue cloud when in bloom. Cut back after blooms fade to encourage another flush for late summer. ‘Kit Cat’ is not quite as drought tolerant as most Nepeta so it will work better in your garden beds that require a bit of moisture. For an even more compact plant, cut back before the first flower stalks form.
Nepeta x faassenii ‘Blue Ice’
Common Name: Catmint
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 10-18”
Spread: 12-30”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Mostly Sunny
Water Requirements: Average to dry, drought tolerant.
Soil Requirements: Average well drained soil, tolerates poor and rocky soil as well as dry clay. Neutral pH.
Growth Habit: Low growing, mounded, somewhat sprawling
Bloom Time: May through September
Bloom Color: Ice Blue
Bloom Form: Small nodding bells borne on numerous upright spikes
Foliage: Soft gray green small, narrow ovate leaves along single stems, slightly hairy
Fragrance: Foliage is highly aromatic when crushed, spicy mint scent. Scent is strongest when grown in lean dry soils.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Fertilize: Do not fertilize, especially in richer soils. Too much fertilizer will cause the flower stems to droop and produce fewer blooms.
Maintenance: Virtually maintenance free. In mid summer spent blooms can be sheared off to produce a new flush of blooms in August. May be divided every 3 or 4 years, or if the plant loses vigor.
Other: Attracts Butterflies and pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant. Slight tolerance to salt.
Hardiness: Zones 4 to 10
‘Blue Ice’ is a tiny catmint with spikes of ice blue flower clusters. This dwarf is ideal for underplanting roses or any shrub or taller perennial. Newer plants may start their blooming a bit late but will bloom earlier when mature.
Although Nepata in general are tolerant of hot dry conditions, ‘Blue Ice’ will not do well in the heat and humidity of the hot southern regions. Afternoon shade can greatly benefit the plant.
Nepeta x faassenii ‘Blue Wonder’
Common Name: Catmint
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 10-18”
Spread: 12-18”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirements: Average to dry, very drought tolerant.
Soil Requirements: Average well drained soil, tolerates sandy soil. Neutral pH.
Growth Habit: Low growing, mounded, somewhat bushy
Bloom Time: May through September
Bloom Color: Medium tones of royal and powder blues
Bloom Form: Small nodding bells borne abundantly on 6” spikes
Foliage: Soft gray green 1-2”, narrow ovate leaves along single stems, slightly hairy
Fragrance: Foliage is highly aromatic when crushed, spicy mint scent. Scent is strongest when grown in lean dry soils.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Fertilize: Do not fertilize, especially in richer soils. Too much fertilizer will cause the flower stems to droop and produce fewer blooms.
Maintenance: Virtually maintenance free. In mid summer spent blooms can be sheared off to produce a new flush of blooms in August. May be divided every 3 or 4 years, or if the plant loses vigor.
Other: Attracts Butterflies and pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant. Slight tolerance to salt.
Hardiness: Zones 3 to 9
Another dwarf cultivar, ‘Blue Wonder’ is ideal for smaller gardens, front of the border or underplanting. A somewhat bushy growth habit is also great for groundcover or planting among rocks on a slope. The bushy mound typically matures at about 12” high with 6” flower stalks. A great filler for your gardens.
‘Blue Wonder’ loves full sun, but will benefit from shade in hot southern regions. This Catmint will bloom profusely in preferred conditions. The blooms are generously large for the petite plant size. Plant this easy to grow, easy to care for perennial in masses just about anywhere.
Nepeta x subsessilis ‘Sweet Dreams’
Common Name: Catmint
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 24-30”
Spread: 24-36”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirements: Moist well drained
Soil Requirements: Moisture retentive well drained soil. Neutral pH.
Growth Habit: Low growing, densely mounded
Bloom Time: June through September
Bloom Color: Two tone lavender pinks
Bloom Form: Small nodding bells borne abundantly on 6” spikes
Foliage: Soft gray green 1-2”, narrow ovate leaves along single stems, slightly hairy
Fragrance: Foliage is highly aromatic when crushed, spicy mint scent. Scent is strongest when grown in lean dry soils.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Fertilize: Do not fertilize, especially in richer soils. Too much fertilizer will cause the flower stems to droop and produce fewer blooms.
Maintenance: Virtually maintenance free. In mid summer spent blooms can be sheared off to produce a new flush of blooms in August. May be divided every 3 or 4 years, or if the plant loses vigor.
Other: Attracts Butterflies and pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant. Slight tolerance to salt.
Hardiness: Zones 4 to 8
‘Sweet Dreams’ produces abundant large spikes of pink trumpet blooms on deep pink to burgundy bracts. Blooming continues profusely but cutting back spent flower stalks may produce even more. Also subsessilis tend to hold the spent brown petals, so cutting them back will improve the appearance of the plant when out of bloom.
This Nepeta, generally all the subsessilis, does prefer more moist soil conditions and prefers to not dry out. A bit of shade as well as more moisture is also preferred by this variety. Once established ‘Sweet Dreams’ will become a bit more drought tolerant.