- ‘Walker’s Low’ plants are 30 inches tall and 36 inches wide, with lavender-blue flowers. As a side note, the name is not short because it derives from an Irish garden. It is actually almost as tall as the “Six Hills Giant.” Walker’s Low was chosen by the Perennial Plant Association as their Perennial of the Year for 2007.
Don’t restrict yourself to just these four options if you feel driven to hunt for catmint in your neighbourhood garden centres. Numerous other top-notch cultivars are also readily available, including “Dropmore,” “Blue Wonder,” and “Junior Walker,” a scaled-down variety of “Walker’s Low” that stands 16 inches tall.
- Catmint tends to grow wider than tall, so give it lots of room.
- Even while catmint likes direct sunlight, it can also tolerate moderate afternoon shadow.
- Water new plants or transplants until they can survive on their own. Following that, established plants can withstand heat and drought.
- Never fertilise it again. Catmint prefers well-drained, somewhat fertile soil. In fact, a plant may flip over or split in half if the soil is excessively rich. In that case, trim the plant back to make it look neat. Compost added in the spring or fall will provide the plant the nutrients it needs to thrive.
- After the first blooming flush of the plants has finished, shear them back by a third or more. The plants will be more orderly, their size will be limited, and this will encourage a second rush of blossoms later in the summer. The plant will still bloom often and maintain its lovely appearance during the stifling summer months even without being sheared.
- Over the winter, keep any dead foliage in place to help protect the crown. Wait till the beginning of spring to trim it.
- Divide catmint every three to four years, preferably in the spring or early fall, to maintain it healthy. During the first growing season, until the plants take root, keep it well-watered.
- Catmint varieties can grow to be quite huge. Pinch the plant back in the spring after it has grown a few inches tall to encourage a bushier growth habit if you wish to limit the plant’s total size.
- Cut a vertical chunk off of an established clump of catmint in the spring to reproduce it. Make sure the division has a strong root system and a number of new shoots. Till the plant takes root, keep it well-watered.
- Cuttings can also be used to spread catmint. Before flower buds grow in the spring, clip healthy shoots at a length of three inches. The cuttings should be placed in a moist medium, such as sand or a peat-perlite mixture. Within two to three weeks, they should start to root.
- Catmint is typically unaffected by either pests or illnesses. The only issue that can occasionally arise is leaf spot. There is no consensus that the severity of this fungus illness justifies control measures.
- Experience has taught me that some cats are drawn to catmint. If you’re worried about this, cover newly planted or transplanted catmint with chicken wire to stop your cat from consuming it or rolling about in it.
- This plant attracts butterflies and bees like crazy. Additionally, hummingbirds adore it.
- You’ll adore this plant if your garden is plagued by four-legged animals other than cats. Deer, voles, and rabbits are deterred by the foliage’s minty aroma. THIS is a plant that pays for itself, at last!
Are catmint plants contagious?
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 colour 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 recognised.
Dark blue flowers on 1 to 2 foot tall stems are produced by Blue Wonder.
Does catmint draw felines?
Nepeta cataria, a plant native to Europe and a close relative of the mints, produces catnip (spearmint, peppermint, pennyroyal, etc). The plant or dried herb attracts a lot of cats, and the smell might cause odd behaviour patterns. Licking, chewing, head shaking, chin and cheek stroking, rolling, and salivation are a few of these actions. The herb only has an effect on roughly two-thirds of domestic cats. Other cat species, such as lions, leopards, and jaguars, are also impacted. A common folk treatment for fevers, colds, cramps, and headaches is catnip.
Catnip offers therapeutic benefits for both humans and cats, in addition to having insecticidal characteristics. Nepetalactone is the substance in catnip that is active (a component of essential oil extracted from catnip). Nepatalactone is an insect repellent that was developed by Iowa State University researchers in the early 2000s for use against cockroaches, mosquitoes, mites, ticks, spiders, termites, and other pests. Since then, it hasn’t been included in insect repellents that are sold commercially.
Additionally promising for crop protection is catnip oil. In a study, collard greens intercropped with catnip (placed in alternate rows) decreased the prevalence of flea beetles, an insect that is extremely harmful to collards. It has also been demonstrated that catnip extracts can repel harmful insects and the adult and larval stages of the Colorado potato beetle. Caterpillars, moths, and butterflies cannot be harmed by catnip extracts.
Catnip is comparatively simple to cultivate, accepts a wide range of soil types, and if not controlled, has the potential to spread beyond your garden. There are numerous seed firms that sell seed. Since the seed is so tiny, it can be directly sown on garden soil that has been thoroughly prepared and covered with 1/8″ of dirt. As an alternative, it can be planted in a flat after it has five sets of leaves. If you have cats, you might need to keep them away from it until it is established and mature. Once planted, each plant should endure for a number of years. Cutting the root mass in half and replanting allows you to divide established plants. Grow the plants where they have enough room because they can grow rather huge (3 feet tall).
Prior to blossoming, trim stems to gather catnip (early to mid summer). Leaves should be taken off of stems. In a well-ventilated place away from direct sunshine, spread the leaves out on a screen or tray. To provide aeration, turn the leaves once per day. It ought to be dry enough to crumble into flakes after two to three weeks. Put dried flakes in a container with a tight lid or a plastic bag that can be sealed. A few catnip plants will give you a year-round supply if you adore cats.
While similar to catnip in appearance, catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) does not energise cats. It is a mounded shrub with lovely gray-green foliage that grows slowly. Early summer and again throughout the monsoon season are when its abundant blue flowers bloom. Once planted, it is tolerant to both heat and drought. It can self-seed and grow (almost to the point of becoming weedy). These hardy perennials can withstand USDA zone 4 conditions and do well in mountain gardens. The majority of herbivores, including deer, are not drawn to catmint. The majority of gardeners think it makes a fine perennial border plant.
Bees and other beneficial insects are attracted to catnip and catmint. Catnip typically only blooms once per season, but when it does, bees and other nectar-feeding insects are drawn to it. I saw solitary bees feasting on nectar in the early summer, honeybees utilising it in the middle to late summer, and bee flies and hawk moths using it in the late summer due to catmint’s prolonged bloom time. I cultivate both catmint and catnip. Cats use the catnip that has been gathered. All summer long, the catmint offers beneficial insects both beauty and sustenance. Photos and links to more information are provided below.
Can catmint be grown easily?
The herb catmint is simple to grow. These plants are appropriate for bulk planting or edging, and they can be used as an insect deterrent close to vegetables, particularly for aphids and Japanese beetles.
Catmint can be grown in normal, well-draining soil in the sun or light shade. They are good plants for dry garden regions since they can withstand both heat and drought. The two main ways to cultivate catmint are from seed or through division.
When should catmint be planted?
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 grey foliage. It spreads swiftly and may be planted from spring to early fall in most regions.
Can catmint endure the winter?
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.
Will catmint saturate my yard?
something that belongs to the mint family. such as peppermint, chocolate mint, and spearmint. I should point out that if left to their own devices, the majority of mint family members will spread rather aggressively.
Through underground runners, herbs like mint, oregano, pennyroyal, and even thyme can swiftly take over the garden. They might be challenging to get rid of since any leftover tiny roots can develop into complete plants.
How quickly will catmint expand?
Nepata, sometimes known as catmint, is a magnificent plant for perennial gardens or mixed beds. It swiftly disperses and can withstand heat, drought, and poor soil. In fact, before long you’ll probably be lending it to others.
Catmint is a relative of catnip but is more flamboyant. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. When a plant reaches maturity, it develops a rounded, bushy shape with hundreds of tall, lovely stalks. Small, pinnate, gray-green leaves that resemble mint leaves grow on the stalks. Early summer brings on a flood of blooms from the plants, and if you prune them back, they will bloom once again. The most typical colour is bluish-purple, however certain variants also exist in pink, white, and even yellow.
Catmint will draw the neighbourhood cats, just like catnip does. The plant’s constituents have a slight hallucinogenic or sleepy effect on cats. Even if you don’t have a cat of your own, the plant may have flattened spots where cats have rolled around. Spread a sheet of bird netting over the plants to prevent this frolicking. Catmint not only draws cats, but also bees, moths, and butterflies. The plants are alive with bumblebee and honeybee activity when they are in full bloom. Catmint shouldn’t be grown close to entrances or play areas due to this.
Depending on the kind, catmint can grow to be 12 inches tall or 36 inches tall. Give it plenty of room and divide it every three to four years because it can spread up to three feet in one season. Over the winter, it typically dies back to the ground.
Planting Catmint
Catmint can be grown from seed, divisions from a buddy, or nursery transplants. After the last anticipated frost, sow the seeds outside or start them indoors four to six weeks prior to planting. The most dependable approach to grow this plant is by divisions or transplants because some types are infertile and hybrids may not grow true to seed. Except in regions with extremely hot and dry weather, where it may tolerate some afternoon shadow, catmint blooms best in full sun. It is not necessary for the soil to be especially rich, but it must have good drainage. Prior to planting, incorporate some manure and compost into the soil.
Depending on how big they will be when mature, place the plants 12 to 24 inches apart. For the first four weeks following planting, water the plants often. The plants are drought-tolerant once they are established, but they thrive when watered once a week.
Before new growth appears, fertilise catmints in the spring by spreading 1/4 cup of 10-10-10 fertiliser around the base of the plant. After the first bloom, trim the plants back by at least one-third. If they get out of control over the summer, you can trim them again, but wait until late August to do so.
Catmint Problems and Pests
Catmint shouldn’t cause you any issues as long as the soil drains correctly. But in wet soils, root rot is widespread. In humid, warm environments, catmint can spread. To tame it, give it lots of room and divide it periodically.
Catmint Varieties
The most widely cultivated variety is Faassen’s catmint (Nepeta X faassenii). The height of this plant varies from 12 inches to 24 inches. Because it is sterile, Faassen’s catmint won’t self-sow like other species. Among the varieties are “Kit Kat,” which reaches a height of 2 feet and blooms for a long time, “White Wonder,” which, as its name suggests, has white flowers, and “Six Hills Giant,” which reaches a height of 4 feet and has spikes of 12 inch purple blooms.
Cold-tolerant Siberian catmint (Nepeta sibirica) can reach heights of two to three feet. Compared to Faassen’s catmint, this plant has bigger leaves and bluish-purple blooms.
If your soil is damp, Japanese catmint (Nepeta subsessilis) is the plant for you. On 2 foot tall stalks, it produces lavender to pink blossoms.
The Himalayan native yellow catmint (Nepeta govaniana) flowers in the middle to end of July. If you can’t get it locally, look in garden catalogues and internet resources.