Our Plant Profiles from Plant Select highlight a variety of plants that not only flourish in the Rocky Mountain region but also fulfill essential requirements for animals.
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.
How can I prevent my cat from consuming catmint?
Nepetas, sometimes known as catmints, are becoming more popular as perennials due to their lengthy flowering season, appealing coloring, and thick growth. There is only one issue: cats!
Cats adore this plant, which is why it’s called catmint. Cats can be attracted to catnip, a nepeta (Nepeta cataria), which is an old feline favorite. They scuff against it, roll about on it, and rub against it. They are drawn to the nepetalactone that injured leaves and stems release. And nepetalactone sensitivity affects around two-thirds of domestic cats.
As catnip (N. cataria) is typically grown for feline amusement and isn’t particularly attractive, this isn’t typically a concern. The other nepetas, however, are decorative trees. You don’t want cats digging them up or scratching them to death. True, they emit a lot less nepetalactone than catnip, but cats may still get them all messed up.
Some roots and leaves will surely be broken or injured while planting, releasing nepetalactone and attracting cats as a result. Therefore, to deter cats, cover newly planted nepetas with some form of barrier (a cut-off gallon milk container, for example). The smell that was unintentionally produced during planting will be gone after 4 or 5 days, and cats won’t be a problem.
If you inadvertently wound or crush your nepeta, it will live a lovely, cat-free life, so keep your cat barrier close by!
Best Cat Repellent Plants
Consider purchasing some plants that are reputed to be cat repellents if cats are a problem in your garden. While cats adore catnip, there are some aromas that they absolutely detest. As a result, scientists have worked diligently to create new varieties of flowers and plants that contain these scents.
Cats. You either adore them or despise them, and you either want to draw them into your garden or keep them out.
Consider planting plants and flowers that cats are known to dislike if cats have been bothering you by spraying everywhere or by scratching up the soil in your newly planted seedbed.
In the absence of cat litter, cats always relieve themselves on the dirt. They wouldn’t even notice a few seedlings that you had painstakingly planted and which are now sprouting, but which they destroy with their claws as they dig them up and the earth they use to conceal their shit.
The following plants are some of the most effective cat deterrents you can use in your garden to keep cats out or away from planted borders.
Curry PlantHelichrysum augustfolium or italicum
This plant is merely an annoyance where it grows wild in the Mediterranean region. Even though it has a distinct curry aroma, it has no culinary applications.
It is a perennial that is hardy to frost and is known to keep cats away because of the smell.
Although I have never seen a cat approach a curry plant, this may or may not be true.
It belongs to the daisy family and is referred to by the botanical names Helichrysum italicum or Helichrysum angustifolium. It typically grows in USDA plant hardiness zones 811.
Unless you have a serious cat problem, I would strongly suggest against planting this plant. It will only become another difficult weed to get rid of from your garden after the cats have left the area.
On the bright side, it can be used medicinally to treat infections, reduce inflammation, and soothe sunburn.
Scaredy cat plantPlectranthus caninus (coleus canina)
The name of this plant implies that cats avoid it, however I believe that is just a marketing gimmick. The stench of dog poop is indeed there, which is exactly what every gardener wants in their yard!
While there may be some truth to the claim that it deters both cats and dogs, it only affects creatures with a sense of smell.
Since catnip only affects 70% of cats, I would hypothesize that the remaining 30% have a diminished or nonexistent sense of smell.
Both the curry plant and the scaredy cat plant will work if catnip attracts the cats that frequent your garden.
As a result, if you want to prevent cats from scratching up your early seedlings, you should plant a ring of cat deterrent plants around your growing area. Cats will just stroll around these plants and move on to another part of the garden.
Lavender
It is a mystery why cats dislike lavender since it smells so good. Planting lavender in a line will act as a deterrent to keep the cat from exploring further of your garden because it may become quite shrubby.
Lavender comes in a huge variety and is widely available. The best kind to use against cats is one that grows tall. Although cats are capable of leaping over hedges, they prefer to see what is on the other side first, and lavender plants can readily grow taller than a cat to obstruct their view.
Your lavender plants thrive in borders that line walkways since they emit their fragrance into the air when you simply brush against them, as you may while passing by.
RosemaryRosmarinus officinalis
It is definitely worthwhile to plant rosemary in your garden or yard because it grows naturally in the Mediterranean region and is very useful in cooking.
It has a lovely scent and is a woody perennial, so it will grow every year after being planted.
The problem with rosemary is that it truly prefers warm, dry weather and will not grow well in cold, wet soil.
If your area is cooler than USDA zone 9, it would probably be best to grow rosmarinus officinalis as a summer annual or in a container that can be brought indoors or into a greenhouse in case of bad weather.
They prefer neutral to alkaline soils and reject acidic ones. It should be grown on high-quality potting compost with a pH balance of approximately 7.
Prickly bushes
If you truly want to keep cats out of your garden, consider planting perimeter hedges with prickly leaves or thorns on their stems. As you might imagine, cats do not like walking on anything prickly and will not attempt to squeeze through a prickly hedge.
Here are some ideas for keeping cats away:
- Your property will be safer if you prune hawthorn into a solid hedge that will deter cats and robbers.
- When shaped with pruning, the wild rose (rosa rugosa) grows into a thicket. has lovely summer flowers and stunning rose hips in the fall.
- Bramble (blackberry)
- Brambles are nearly impossible for both humans and animals to get through because to its thorny stalks, therefore take care not to purchase one of the new thornless species. With long-handled shears, shape the tree, and every autumn, enjoy an abundance of berries for jam or pudding.
- Everyone is familiar with holly because it is frequently used as a Christmas decoration. when positioned closely together, creates an impenetrable hedge.
- Prickly CurrantGreat if your yard has some shade because ribes lacustre thrives there. has prickly stems, edible fruit, and is quickly spread.
- Pyracantha prefers sun or some shade and can develop into a thick wall surrounding your yard. With abundance of orange berries in the fall, this shrub is really decorative.
- There are a countless number of distinct berberis species, all of which have prickly stems and leaves. To pick the ideal berberis for hedging or space filling at the perimeter of your garden, consider height and spread.
- Although pampas grass lacks thorns, its razor-sharp leaf edges are the ideal cat deterrent.
- No cat in their right mind would dare approach a blackthorn bush due to its sharp spines, but having one in your garden has several benefits that outweigh its prickly drawbacks. In the spring, it is covered in lovely white flower, which over the summer develops into a fruit known as a sloe. Sloes, which resemble little plums, are excellent for creating gin, wine, and liqueurs.
Consider planting a lot of catmint, or catnip as it is more widely known, if you truly can’t be bothered growing a garden with plants that will deter cats.
Catmint is very attractive to cats and has a feel-good effect on their nervous system, which may captivate them to the point where they forget to dig up your seedlings.
The greatest cat repellent plants act as obstacles to prevent cats from entering, but regrettably, the most determined cat will overcome any barriers put in place to prevent them from entering.
In the dim and distant past of cats, they used to live in trees. The easiest technique to keep cats from climbing a tree, especially one with a bird’s nest in it, is to scatter some citrus peel on the ground at the tree’s base.
What affects cats does catmint have?
The key distinction between catnip and catmint for gardeners who have cats is that only the latter will stimulate cats and make them go wild. Nepetalactone is a chemical found in catnip plants. Cats adore this, which is what makes them want to eat the leaves that make them feel happy. Nepetalactone is okay to have about the house because it also deters insects.
According to some reports, certain cats are interested in catmint. If they do, they’re more inclined to roll around in the leaves rather than consume them like cats do with catnip. Catnip is the best option if you’re wanting to cultivate a plant only for your cats’ amusement, while catmint is a nicer perennial with more consistent blossoms.
What kinds of animals are drawn to catmint?
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 behavior 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 energize 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 utilizing 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.