Allow me to offer catmint (also known as Nepeta) to you if you’re seeking for a perennial that has long-lasting blooms, can withstand heat, is pest and disease resistant, and is simple to grow. I continue to include this top performer on my list of the best drought-tolerant and deer-resistant plants despite years of testing “plants are a must. It occupies a central place in my beautiful landscape and adds interest throughout the year. It has lovely gray-green foliage that appears in April in orderly, tidy heaps. The shrub practically erupts by May with a profusion of delicate lavender-blue blooms. The plant continues to display an abundance of color well into late summer or early fall after the initial flush of flowers. Even after the blossoms have faded, the floral show is enhanced by colorful calyces that match the blossoms’ color. If the leaves is left standing through the winter, it turns a pleasant soft silvery gray tint.
This herbaceous perennial belongs to the Lamiaceae family of plants, which also contains gigantic hyssop, bee balm, rosemary, and lavender. These plants have opposite leaves, two-lipped blooms, square stems, and aromatic foliage in addition to other characteristics in common. Many individuals mistake catmint for catnip (Nepeta cataria). Catnip and catmint are closely related, although catnip has a stronger scent and less decorative value than catmint.
Catmint like team games. Catmint is a fantastic alternative if you adore the traditional pairing of lavender and roses but find that lavender is too temperamental to grow in this location. Catmint can be used to coat the bare skin similarly to lavender “rose bushes’ branches. A lovely contrast to the vibrant tones of the roses is provided by the plant’s cool-toned foliage and blossoms.
Catmint complements the majority of other hues nicely, but it looks especially lovely when combined with hues from the red to blue color range. Irises look wonderful when they are grown in my own garden. It complements the medium lavender-blue iris “Crater Lake” and the blue-violet tones of the iris “Swingtown” in particular. The vertical outlines and deeper lavender hues of the Allium cultivars “Gladiator,” “Giganteum,” or “Purple Sensation” contrast pleasantly with the mounded shape. Catmint blends wonderfully with the purple foliage of Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ or the flowing burgundy foliage of Japanese Maple ‘Garnet’ as spring transitions into summer. Another excellent ally for catmint is ‘Purple Ruffles’ basil, which is also tasty! Catmint goes well with yellow-flowering plants like Hemerocallis “Happy Returns,” Achillea “Coronation Gold,” or Coreopsis “Early Sunrise.”
The hybrid Nepeta x faassenii produces the most well-liked catmint cultivars that are farmed for commercial purposes in this nation. The flowers have the name of Dutch nurseryman J. H. Faassen, whose nursery this hybrid initially emerged. N. x Faassenii flowers are sterile, thus deadheading is not necessary to stop them from self-seeding.
While the N. X faassenii family’s members are sterile, some closely related species, including the ones listed below, are fertile and may require deadheading to stop reseeding:
- Russian cat mint (N. sibirica) Plant that is erect and tall (two to three feet), with broad green leaves and deep blue blooms.
- Asian catmint (N. subsessilis)
- This catmint kind loves damp soil over the other species. Although it can tolerate direct sunlight, it prefers some shade.
- Orange catmint (N. govaniana)
- This rare species, which is indigenous to the Himalayas, has yellow blooms that emerge later in the summer.
- Nepeta with veins (N. nervosa)
- This plant is indigenous to India, grows one to two feet tall, and has leaves that are three to four inches long with strong veins.
- Turkish catmint (N. parnassica)
- This catmint, which grows to an astounding four to six feet tall and wide, is more frequently found in European gardens than in those in this country.
The Chicago Botanic Garden compared 36 catmints between 1999 and 2006 with the aim of identifying exceptional individuals in terms of their attractive features, disease and pest resistance, cultural adaptation, and winter hardiness (the botanical garden is located in zone 5b). Based on their heavy flower output over a lengthy bloom period, the following four best performers of the 22 highly rated catmints obtained five-star exceptional ratings:
- ‘Joanna Reed’ plants are 24 inches tall and 48 inches broad, with lavender-blue flowers. It bears the name of the deceased Pennsylvania gardener who found it.
Is perennial catmint a hardy plant?
Catmint is a low-maintenance perennial herbaceous plant that swarms the garden with pollinators. It contains clusters of fragrant lavender-blue flowers that resemble lavender and are sweet-smelling. Learn how to cultivate catmint, often referred to as nepeta, and add this perennial with a protracted bloom period to your garden.
There is a functional similarity between catmint and lavender. The plants are closely related and are members of the Lamiaceae family, which is a large family.
A perennial flower that grows well with other cottage garden flowers is catmint. Due to its moderate growth rate, it is frequently grown as a companion plant for roses, planted as an underplanting.
Catmint plants are a great example of a perennial because they frequently come back to the garden year after year.
Perennials typically don’t bloom as abundantly as some of the garden’s annual flowering plants.
Every year, perennials typically bloom for two to four weeks, with some having a second, less prolific flowering period later in the season.
With a little attention in the middle of the growing season to encourage the second flush of flowers, this perennial can bloom from early spring into early October. It is a perennial flowering plant with numerous garden advantages.
Does catmint survive the winter?
This perennial flower that thrives in cool climates often features blue trumpet-shaped flower clusters and grey-green leaves with a distinctive mint scent. Even though it’s frequently called catnip, cats don’t find it to be as alluring as the real stuff. However, I’ve seen that if given the chance, our cat will indulge herself. Although the plant can reach a height of 3 feet, it frequently sprawls, creating a grey-green ground cover. In the late spring and early summer, it blooms profusely. In hot temperatures in the middle of the summer, it frequently temporarily stops flowering before starting up again in the early fall, especially if the plant is vigorously trimmed down. Catmint blooms are beloved by butterflies, hummingbirds, and other useful insects.
In our location, catmint is resilient, though certain types may require winter protection in colder climates. Despite the fact that it may be grown from seed, it is considerably simpler to buy plants from a nearby nursery or get divisions from a friend’s garden in the early spring when it first begins to grow. From early spring through early fall, sow. It is simple to divide catmint. Catmint should be planted in full or partial sun in humus-rich, compost-added soil that is well-drained. Plant where it will receive afternoon shade if you’re growing in one of our region’s warmer areas. In the garden, space plants 1 to 2 feet apart.
Water newly planted plants well. They may be resistant of drought once they have grown. To help keep weeds at bay and the soil continuously moist, mulch with bark and spread compost around the base of plants in the spring.
If you aggressively deadhead flowers and prune the plant back by two-thirds after each flush of blooms, you may keep catmint in practically constant bloom from late spring until fall. After a few years, springtime division of the plant will encourage renewed development and result in the production of more plants for friends and other plantings. Catmint doesn’t self-sow because it has few pests and sterile seeds.
The traditional cottage garden plant catmint frequently grows with peonies, roses, coreopsis, and delphiniums. It’s a fantastic filler plant to add color and green foliage between later blooming flowers because of its spreading tendency. It thrives when planted in rock gardens next to walls so that it can cascade over them. It can look a little rangy, so it’s not the best option for more formal settings.
With blue-violet flowers and a neater appearance than other types since it doesn’t spread as much, Walker’s Low is a more recent variation.
White Wonder and “Snowflake” are rare white blooming plants that only reach a height of one foot.
The enormous plant and bright blue flowers of Six Hills Giant are well recognized.
Dark blue flowers on 1 to 2 foot tall stems are produced by Blue Wonder.
Should catmint be trimmed back in the fall?
Catmint and I have a love-hate relationship. If you have a LOT of space for it to take over, it’s a terrific plant for providing cold tones to a space. Fortunately, catmint can be severely trimmed at any time of the year.
You can trim these back in the fall to just a few inches above the ground, but your garden will have a hole in it until they grow back flush in the spring.
If catmint is the cornerstone of your perennial border, regular summers pruning should be combined with more restrained trims of around half the plant’s height during the fall.
Is catmint simple to care for?
The perennial herb genus Nepeta, which also includes catnip, is known as catmint (Nepeta cataria). They are very pest- and problem-free plants that are incredibly simple to grow. Nepeta has beautiful, lacy-looking gray-green leaves that is mildly fragrant. Early in the summer, its swaying leaves is crowned with spikes of flowers, which continue to bloom all season. White, pink, or lavender-blue flowers are all possible.
The majority of catmint species have a slightly expansive growth habit, which makes them great plants for running down paths and border planting spaces. There are a few tall-growing types with a more upright habit, including “Six Hills Giant,” though. Catmint is resistant to deer, like many other plants with fragrant gray foliage. It spreads swiftly and may be planted from spring to early fall in most regions.
Is catmint perennially green?
Basic catmint maintenance is simple. Catmint plants need constant watering until they get established. Mulch will aid in moisture retention and control weed growth. Pinch back plants after they reach a height of a few inches (8 cm) to encourage bushier growth.
Throughout the summer and fall, catmint blooms. Deadheading faded blossoms encourages new blossoming. It may also assist in avoiding reseeding. However, Nepeta x faassenii, often known as Faassen’s catmint, does not require deadheading because it is sterile. In the fall or after harvest, shear the plants back to half their original size.
Catmint vs. Catnip
Which is better, catnip or catmint? Plant common names can be confusing, especially when they sound so similar. Nepeta cataria, a widespread member of the mint family with white flowers that can be found all over the United States, particularly in disturbed areas, is known as catnip. These low-growing plants are a favorite among cats, and dried leaf cat toys are known to drive cats crazy.
On the other hand, catmint, another member of the mint family, is a stunning decorative plant that is hardy and flexible but is not as well-liked by domestic cats.
Walker’s Low Catmint: Nearly Perfect
Nepeta faassenii, often known as Walker’s Low catmint, has long served as the benchmark catmint in western gardens. In May, mounds of glistening periwinkle blue flowers begin to open, continuing for one to two months.
The blooms are a haven for hummingbirds, moths, butterflies, and bees, but deer and rabbits appear to avoid them. Catmints are nearly ideal plants since they can withstand drought, bloom for a long time, and withstand our harsh weather.
That is, almost flawless, barring two aspects. The weight of the blooms eventually causes the stalks to drop, opening and flattening the plant’s core, which causes all catmints to flop out a little after blooming.
The majority of catmints found at garden centers are fertile, which means that after blooming and receiving pollinator fertilization, they set viable seeds that disperse throughout the garden and result in an abundance of seedlings growing. Free seedlings are occasionally appreciated (especially those of such a lovely plant), but they are frequently an annoyance.
One more warning: Walker’s Low isn’t actually that “low.” Walker’s Low has a height range of 24 to 30 inches, which is quite low compared to Six Hills Giant, the previous benchmark for garden catmints, which reaches a height of 3 feet. Walker’s Low is actually not as low as its name suggests considering how little it is!
Little Trudy: Compact and Not a Spreader
Try Little Trudy catmint if you want a catmint with a neater appearance, one that stays compact and is more suited for small gardens, or one that won’t seed itself.
Before being released by Plant Select in 2008, Little Trudy was found at Little Valley Wholesale Nursery in Brighton, Colorado, and tested at Colorado State University and the Denver Botanic Gardens. It begins to bloom in the late spring and will continue to softly blossom all summer long. When crushed, the tiny, grey-green leaves release a pleasant scent.
Wildlife benefits: Pollinators such as moths, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to stalks of small, purple-blue blooms.
Growing advice: If desired, prune back the first heavy flush of blooms; a second full flush will occur later in the summer.
Does catmint withstand frost?
Catnip has a good level of cold tolerance and thrives in zones 3 through 9. However, growing catnip outside can be problematic in particularly cold winters or in colder areas. It might be important to offer catnip plants some protection and additional care throughout the winter if you want them to return healthy and productively each spring. This is crucial if you reside in the cooler, northern regions of its growing region.
How can I grow catmint in the winter?
Pruning catmint in the winter or late autumn offers many advantages. It will prevent catmint from toppling over onto nearby plants, eliminate areas where pests can overwinter, and maintain the garden bed’s orderly appearance until the arrival of new growth in the spring. The plant should be fully dormant at this point, which usually occurs after many harsh frosts have been applied to it. Catmint is not one of the many perennials whose seedpods serve as food for wildlife. According to the University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science, since the seeds are useless to birds, the entire plant can be severely pruned.
For the winter months, the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service advises trimming perennials like catmint back to a height of 2 to 4 inches. Use strong pruning shears or hedge trimmers to remove the entire plant by cutting across it. When removing the stems, don’t worry about being careful; catmint tolerates vigorous handling. Instead of composting them, put all dead stems and seed pods in a green waste container. The plants’ surrounding dead, falling leaves and seed pods should also be raked up and thrown away.