info@bloomindesigns.com
Imagine More Perennials Than You Can Imagine, Delivered To You - Free
Shop by Category
Shop by Brand
Shop by Brand
Nepeta
Long-Blooming, Fragrant, Pollinator-Friendly
Nepeta, commonly known as Catmint, is a versatile and rewarding perennial that offers a winning combination of beauty, fragrance, and low-maintenance care. This member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) is prized for its long bloom period, attractive foliage, and ability to attract pollinators while deterring pests. Here is why you should add Nepeta to your garden:
- Long Blooming Season: Enjoy weeks, even months, of continuous blooms, typically from late spring or early summer through fall (with deadheading).
- Beautiful Flowers: Produces spikes of lavender-blue, purple, pink, or white flowers that create a soft, airy texture in the garden.
- Aromatic Foliage: The gray-green to green leaves release a pleasant, minty-sage fragrance when crushed or brushed against.
- Pollinator Magnet: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to your garden.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Generally avoided by deer and rabbits, making it a worry-free choice for many gardens.
- Drought Tolerant (Once Established): Requires minimal watering once established, making it a good choice for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
- Easy to Grow: Relatively low-maintenance and adaptable, thriving in a variety of conditions.
- Versatile Uses: Perfect for borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, herb gardens, containers, and as a groundcover.
- Pest Repellent: Deters some common garden pests.
Light:
- Ideal: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) for the best flowering and overall health.
- Tolerated: Will tolerate partial shade (4-6 hours of sunlight), but flowering may be reduced.
Soil:
- Key Requirement: Well-drained soil is essential. Nepeta hates wet feet and will quickly rot in soggy conditions.
- Adaptable: Tolerates a wide range of soil types, including sandy, rocky, and clay soils, provided there is good drainage.
- pH: Prefers slightly alkaline to neutral soil (pH 6.5-7.5) but is adaptable.
Watering:
- Establishment: Water regularly after planting until the plants are established (typically a few weeks to a couple of months). This is especially important for bare-root plants (see below).
- Mature Plants: Once established, Nepeta is quite drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings. Overwatering is a common cause of problems.
Planting (Container-Grown Plants):
- Timing: Spring or fall is the best time to plant.
- Spacing: Space plants 12-24 inches apart, depending on the mature size of the cultivar. Check the plant tag for specific recommendations.
- Depth: Plant at the same depth the plant was growing in its container.
Planting (Bare-Root Plants):
- Timing: Plant bare-root Nepeta in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in the fall.
- Soaking: Before planting, soak the bare roots in water for 1-2 hours to rehydrate them.
- Planting Hole: Dig a hole wide enough and deep enough to accommodate the roots without bending them.
- Depth: Plant with the crown (where the stems meet the roots) just slightly above the soil level. This is crucial to prevent crown rot. Err on the side of planting slightly high rather than too deep.
- Backfilling: Gently fill the hole with soil, firming it around the roots.
- Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
Fertilizing:
- Light Feeder: Nepeta generally does not require heavy fertilization.
- Optional: If desired, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering.
Deadheading:
- Encourages Rebloom: Remove spent flower spikes regularly to encourage continued blooming and prevent self-seeding (if desired). Shearing the plants back by about half after the first flush of bloom can also promote a second, later bloom.
Pruning:
- Shearing: Shearing back after flowering (as mentioned above) is the primary pruning need.
- Late Winter/Early Spring: Cut back the previous year's growth to about 2-3 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
Pests and Diseases:
- Generally, Pest and Disease-Free: Nepeta is remarkably resistant to pests and diseases.
- Root Rot: The main concern is root rot, which is caused by overwatering or poorly drained soil.
- Powdery Mildew (Occasionally): Can occur in humid conditions with poor air circulation but is less of a problem than with Monarda.
Winter Care:
- Cold Hardiness: Most Nepeta cultivars are hardy in USDA zones 3-8 (check the specific hardiness for your variety).
- Mulching (Optional): In colder climates, a light layer of mulch can provide extra protection for the roots.
Propagation:
- Division: The easiest and most reliable method. Divide clumps in spring or fall.
- Stem Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in spring or early summer.
- Seeds: Can be grown from seed, but cultivars may not come true to type.
Popular Nepeta Species and Cultivars
- Nepeta cataria (Catnip): The species most attractive to cats. Has white to pale lavender flowers.
- Nepeta × faassenii: A very popular hybrid, known for its long bloom period and gray-green foliage. Many cultivars are available, including:
- 'Six Hills Giant': Tall (2-3 feet), vigorous, with lavender-blue flowers.
- 'Walker's Low': Despite the name, it can grow up to 2 feet tall. Long-blooming, with deep blue-violet flowers.
- 'Dropmore Hybrid': Similar to 'Walker's Low' but often shorter.
- 'Junior Walker': A dwarf, reaching only 12-18" high.
- Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low': Despite the name, can reach 2' or taller.
- Nepeta sibirica (Siberian Catmint): Taller species (up to 3 feet) with larger, blue-violet flowers.
Landscaping Ideas
- Borders: Plant along the front of borders for a soft, flowing effect.
- Rock Gardens: The drought tolerance and low-growing habit make Nepeta a good choice for rock gardens.
- Cottage Gardens: Adds a romantic, informal touch to cottage gardens.
- Herb Gardens: The fragrant foliage and culinary uses (in teas, for example) make it a welcome addition to herb gardens.
- Containers: Smaller cultivars are suitable for container planting.
- Groundcover: Use as a groundcover in sunny, well-drained areas.
- Edging: Perfect for paths.
- Mass Planting: Plant en mass for an impressive flower display.
Special Note: Cats and Catmint/Catnip
Nepeta cataria (Catnip) contains a compound called nepetalactone, which has a euphoric effect on many cats (about 70-80% of cats are affected). Other Nepeta species and cultivars may also attract cats, but typically to a lesser degree. If you do not want cats in your garden, you might want to avoid planting Nepeta cataria. If you do want to attract cats, Nepeta cataria is the best choice.
Nepeta: A Gardener's Delight!
Imagine fields awash in soft, lavender-blue blooms, humming with bees and butterflies. That is the magic of Nepeta, or catmint, a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). (As you can see in the accompanying image, we grow acres of these stunning plants, ready to bring that beauty to your garden!)
This hardy perennial is a dream come true for gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty. Thriving on sunshine and well-drained soil – even if it is less than ideal – Nepeta proves that sometimes, less is more. In fact, the secret to its success is simplicity. Forget fussing over it! Overwatering or overfeeding will only result in weak, floppy growth and fewer of those delightful blooms. Let Nepeta do its thing, and you'll be rewarded with a profusion of color and fragrance, ready for your garden or landscape.