General information about Nepeta (Catmint):
If you’re looking for a vibrantly
blooming
perennial that is
long blooming,
heat tolerant, resistant to pests and diseases, and easy to grow, then catmint (or Nepeta) is for you!
Catmint makes a stunning display when massed in flower gardens, in rock gardens, as
borders and edging,
and in containers.
A dazzling array of
hummingbirds
and
butterflies
flock to the
aromatic
long blooming
flowers, which make excellent cut flowers in floral designs.
Often used to cover the bare limbs of rose bushes, providing a pleasing counterpoint to the vivid tones of the roses.
Nepeta explodes with a profuse haze of blooms in late spring and continues with an almost continuous rebloom into fall under optimum growing conditions
and
proper shearing of spent flower spikes.
Resistant to
salt
and thriving in seaside plantings, the minty, aromatic foliage repels
rabbits,
voles, and
deer.
Catmint prefers average well-drained soil and in
full
to
part sun
sun (in northern zones, 6+ hours of sun is best); shade-grown plants are floppy and flower poorly.
Keep it well watered the first growing season until the plants become established.
Established plants thrive in full sun and exhibit exceptional of dry soils,
drought
and humidity.
Somewhat intolerant of the heat and humidity of the deep South, however, and appreciates some afternoon shade in hot climates.
Catmints thrive best when divided every 3-4 years in early spring.
Leave spent foliage in place over winter to help protect the crown, cut back old foliage in late winter rather than in the fall.
Prune back plants by one-third to one-half after the initial bloom to stimulate re-bloom.
Must be propagated by division, as seeds are sterile.
Don’t bother to
fertilize it.
Catmint prefers well-drained soil that is not overly fertile.
In fact, soil that is too rich may cause the plant to flop over or split in the middle.
Should that happen, shear the plant back to tidy it up.
Some compost in fall or spring will provide sufficient nutrients to keep the plant happy.
Nepeta racemosa and N. nepetella were first crossed by Dutch nurseryman, J. H. Faasen, in the 1930’s.
Interesting Facts
When Nepeta's stems are broken, they release an aroma into the air that tends to attract cats, thus its common name, Catmint.
Many people confuse catmint with catnip (Nepeta cataria).
While the two are closely related, catnip is more aromatic than catmint but less ornamental.
Catmints are effective at repelling mosquitos!
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Full sun 
Part sun
