Botanical Name: Nepeta x faassenii
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Common Name: Catmint  
Plant photo of: Nepeta x faassenii
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Blue, Lavender

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish, Native Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Parking Strip, Patio, Raised Planter, Swimming Pool, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cascade, Container

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Susan Frommer/Hunter
  • Description

  • Notes

Catmint makes soft, grey-green, rounded mounds from 10 to 24 inches high, depending on variety. Most will be wider than tall. This perennial has lavender blue flowers from late spring to early summer, though if you shear off the first flowers, it will frequently bloom again later in the summer. Different varieties have slightly different bloom times. Leaves are attractive, crinkled blue-grey and are aromatic.
Best grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Thrives in dry soils in full sun, and is very drought tolerant. Shear flower spikes after initial flowering to promote continued bloom. Divide every few years if the center starts to thin. Cut back hard, a few inches above the crown, in late winter to early spring, before new growth emerges.