Sunday, March 14, 2010

Nepeta - Catmint

Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade unless otherwise noted. Protect young plant until established from cats. Yes I really did say cats. However the good news is - deer do not eat Catmint. Dead-heading prolongs the blooming. Plants are generally semi-evergreen ( deciduous in coldest climates ); they can be cut back to 1 inch above ground in early spring to enjoy the emergence of fresh new foliage.

* photos taken on July 25 2015 @ Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario


Nepeta amethystina sppp. laciniata
Reaches up to 3.5 x 1.5 feet with attractive lacy gray foliage.
The purple and white orchid-like flowers are borne in branched clusters.

Nepeta cataria ( Catnip )
Reaches up to 4 x 3.5 feet ( rarely 5 feet in height ) with a strong root system.
It can be invasive. Native to Eurasia ( southern England; east to Siberia, south to the Himalayas ), it is now often found also growing wild in North America.
The aromatic, long stalked, toothed, ovate leaves, up to 3 inches in length, are gray-green. The dried leaves and stems, attract cats - many of which get high off it. Catnip also gets squirrels stoned then they fall out of trees.
The whitish to purple flowers, up to 0.5 inches in length, are borne in spikes from mid-summer to mid-autumn. The flowers are borne in spikes up to 6 inches in length.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun on any well drained soil though preferrably sandy. Drought tolerant.

* photos taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken on June 15 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 7 2019 in Columbia, MD

* House Panther Cleopatra with fresh catnip

* photo taken on Apr 17 2021 in Columbia, MD


'Citriodora'
Very fast growing, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet, with oval, gray-green, lemon fragranced foliage. The foliage makes a good tea.
The very profuse, deep blue flowers are borne from early summer to mid autumn.
Cut back after first flush of blooms for repeat flowering.
It is even more attractive in full bloom than Nepeta x faassenii 'Walkers Low'.

Nepeta clarkei
An upright, clumping perennial, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet ( typically under 3 feet in height ), that is native to the Himalayas.
The toothed, lance-shaped to ovate leaves, up to 2.5 inches in length, are silvery-gray to bright green.
The leaves are whorled lower down on the plant, paired on the flower stems.
The purplish-blue flowers are borne on long, upright spikes during summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

Nepeta x faassenii
Reaches up to 2 x 4 feet. The toothed, pointed oval grayish leaves are up to 1.6 inches in length. The lavender-blue flowers are borne in spikes, up to 6 inches in length, all summer long.
The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on any humus rich, very well drained soil. Moderately drought, salt and very heat tolerant and does not like excessively wet winters. Deer and rabbit resistant.
It can tolerate drought as long as it is kept moist during spring and fall.
Shearing back by half after blooming often results in a rebloom.

* photos taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.


* photo taken on Sep 15 2013 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on May 30 2015 in Howard Co., MD


'Cats Meow'
Dense and very compact in habit, reaching up to 1.5 x 2.2 feet in 2 years, eventually to 1.7 x 3 feet.
The attractive foliage is blue-green. The ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 0.3 inches in size.
The purplish-blue flowers appear from early summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

* photo taken on June 30 2019 in Columbia, MD

* patent photo


'Cats Pajamas'
A fast growing but very dense, compact form, reaching up to 1 x 1.6 feet in 2 years, eventually to 1.2 x 1.8 feet.
The foliage is blue-green. The rounded leaves are up to 0.5 x 0.6 inches in size.
The abundant, deep lavender-blue flowers appear during mid-spring ( earlier than other cultivars ) and continue into early autumn. This sterile variety just keeps continue pushing new blooms.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

* photo taken on Nov 1 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 18 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 23 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 29 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 29 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Apr 25 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 1 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 12 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 7 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA

* photo taken on June 26 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 30 2023 in Ellicott City, MD


'Dropmore Blue'
A dense foliaged perennial, reaching up to 3 x 4 feet,
The fragrant, finely textured foliage is gray-green.
The sterile bright blue flowers are borne early summer into early autumn. The flowers are larger than that of regular Nepeta x faassenii.
Shearing plants back in early July will ensure denser habit and superior blooming later in the season. Looks great with pink blooming Roses.
Hardy zones 2 to 9

* photo taken on Sep 23 2013 in Burtonsville, MD

* photos taken on June 28 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 20 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 5 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 17 2021 in Columbia, MD


'Junior Walker'
A sterile, fast growing, compact form of 'Walker's Low', reaching up to 1.8 x 3 feet.
The foliage is blue-green. The leaves are up to 1.5 x 0.8 inches in size.
The very abundant, lavender flowers appear from late spring into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 9.

* photos taken on May 12 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 8 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 3 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 14 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 17 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 21 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 12 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 1 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 25 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 25 2023 in Columbia, MD


'Kit Cat'
A dwarf compact form, reaching only up to 1.4 x 1.2 feet in size.
The small ovate foliage is gray-green.
The lavender-blue flowers are borne from early summer to mid-autumn.

'Kitten Around'
Vigorous yet very compact in habit, reaching up to 1 x 1.4 feet in 2 years, eventually to 0.9 x 1.4 feet in 2 years, eventually to 1.2 x 1.8 feet in size.
The foliage is gray-green. The toothed ovate leaves are up to 1.2 x 0.9 inches in size.
The abundant, purplish-blue flowers appear early summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

* photo taken on May 16 2021 in Ellicott City, MD

* patent photo


'Six Hills Giant'
Upright in habit, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet, with larger foliage than the species.
The aromatic foliage is soft gray-green.
The violet-blue flowers borne in spikes, up to 12 inches in length, are borne late spring to late autumn. The flowers are larger than regular Nepeta x faassenii.
are also larger.
Cut back hard after flowering for rebloom.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

* photos taken on May 5 2010 in Clarksville, MD


* photos taken on Sep 3 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 20 2016 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on May 26 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 17 2019 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on June 5 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2021 in Ellicott City, MD


'Snowflake'
Reaches up to 1.5 x 2.5 feet with white flowers borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 3 to 9

'Walker's Low'
A fast growing, upright, mounding, groundcover perennial, reaching up to 2.5 x 4 feet ( typically under 2 feet in height ). The aromatic, wrinkled foliage is gray-green to blue-green.
The abundant, fragrant, soft purplish-blue flowers are borne mid spring through autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 9

* photo taken on May 15 2011 in Columbia, MD


* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Goderich, Ontario

* photos taken on Sep 14 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 17 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 17 2017 in Annapolis, MD

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on May 10 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 21 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 9 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 27 2019 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Aug 19 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 18 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 28 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 19 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 29 2020 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2021 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on May 17 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 25 2021 in Annapolis, MD

* photo taken on June 30 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 24 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 12 2022 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on June 6 2022 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on May 12 2023 in Columbia, MD


Nepeta goveniana
A vigorous, compact, erect, clumping perennial, reaching up to 4 x 4 feet, that is native to moist open woods in Kashmir.
The aromatic, scalloped, pointed, ovate leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are mid-green.
The abundant, yellow, tubular flowers, up to 1.2 inches in length, are borne in spikes throughout the summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil. Requires cool summers. Propagation is from seed ( often flowers the first year ) or division during autumn. It is less attractive to cats than many other Nepeta.

Nepeta grandiflora ( Caucasus Catmint )
A bushy perennial, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet, that is native to eastern Europe.
The large, toothed, pointed-oval leaves, up to 2 inches in length, are downy, gray-green.
The very abundant, lavender-blue flowers, up to 0.6 inches in length, are borne on spikes early summer to mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun or partial shade, it thrives in harsh climates including Alberta, Canada.

'Dawn to Dusk'
A fast growing perennial, reaching up to 4.3 x 5 feet. It can be very invasive on some sites.
The leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are deep gray-green.
The light pink flowers are borne all summer long.

'Pool Bank'
Reaches up to 4.3 x 4.3 feet, with gray-green foliage and lavender-blue flowers borne early summer to mid-autumn.

'Summer Magic'
Vigorous but dense, compact and upright, reaching up to 1.8 x 2 feet in size.
The ovate leaves are up to 2 x 1.1 inches in size.
The blue flowers appear late spring until mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 9, it is very heat and humidity tolerant.

* photos taken on July 9 2020 in Elkridge, MD


'Wild Cat'
Reaches up to 4.3 x 5 feet, with mid-green foliage and lavender-blue flowers borne early summer to mid-autumn.

* photos taken on May 11 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 26 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 19 2021 in Columbia, MD


Nepeta grossheimii ( Georgia Catmint )
An extremely endangered perennial native to western Asia, especially Georgia.
The blue flowers are borne late spring into mid autumn.

Nepeta x 'Joanna Reed'
The hybrid between Nepeta faasenii & N. sibirica; forming a clump up to 3 x 4 feet.
The flowers, borne late spring through late autumn, are the deepest violet of any Nepeta.
The foliage is gray-green.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun.

* photos taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014


Nepeta longipes
Reaching up to 3.5 x 2 feet with lilac flowers borne on dense, long spikes, early summer to early autumn.

Nepeta nervosa
A long-lived, bushy perennial, reaching up to 2 feet x 32 inches, that is native to Kashmir.
The lance-shaped leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are mid-green.
The showy, lavender-blue flowers are borne on dense, erect spikes up to 6 inches in length. They are borne all summer long, often lasting into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 7.

'Blue Moon'
A compact form, reaching up to 16 x 24 inches.
The foliage is blue-green.
The abundant, lavender-blue flowers appear all summer long.
Hardy zones 4 to 7.

* photos taken on May 21 2019 in Columbia, MD


Nepeta nuda
An impressive well branched perennial plant, reaching up to 5 feet in height, that is rarely seen in North America.
The leaves, up to 3 inches in length, are green.
The flowers are lavender-blue.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

Nepeta parnassica ( Giant Nepeta )
A massive perennial you got to see to believe, reaching a maximum size of 15 x 12 ( averaging 6 ) feet with thick sturdy stems.
The fragrant foliage is gray-green.
The purplish-blue flowers are borne in long spikes from early summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

Nepeta 'Purple Haze'
A mounding perennial, reaching up to 10 inches x 4 feet in size.
The oval leaves are silvery-green.
The purplish-blue flowers are borne on upright spikes during late spring through summer if deadheaded. Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil.

* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014


Nepeta racemosa ( Raceme Catmint )
A perennial, reaching up to 1.2 x 3 feet in size. The deeply-veined, broadly-ovate leaves are gray-green.
The lavender-blue flowers are borne late spring to early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun to partial shade.

* photo taken on Oct 17 2013 in Olney, MD


'Blue Wonder'
A perennial, reaching up to 1.5 x 3.1 feet.
The aromatic gray-green foliage is topped by abundant, deep blue flowers on racemes up to 6 inches long, all summer long. It is highly attractive to butterflies.
Hardy zones 3 to 8. Cut back to near ground in early spring. It can be sheared back by 2/3 during mid-summer to encourage vigorous rebloom which can last well into autumn.

* photo taken on July 24 2015 in Goderich, ON

* photos taken on May 26 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jun 5 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 6 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 29 2018 in Columbia, MD




* photo taken on Apr 17 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 13 2019 in Columbia, MD


* photos taken on May 24 2019 in Columbia, MD


* photo taken on May 8 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 18 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 17 2020 in Columbia, MD


'Little Titch'
Reaches up to 10 inches x 2.5 feet, with gray-green foliage and purplish-blue flowers borne mid-spring to mid-summer.

'Superba'
Reaches up to 2 x 3.3 feet, with gray-green foliage and lavender flowers borne late spring through mid-autumn.

Nepeta sibirica ( Siberian Catmint )
A potentially invasive fast growing perennial, reaching up to 4 x 3.5+ ( rarely over 2 ) feet, that is native to Siberia.
The aromatic, toothed, lance-shaped leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are deep green.
The stunning blue flowers, up to an inch in length, are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on very well drained soil. Extremely drought tolerant. Propagation is from seed or division during autumn.

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA


'Blue Beauty'
A sturdy, vigorous, upright perennial, reaching up to 4 x 3.5 feet ( typically around 2 feet in height ). Potentially invasive.
The fragrant deep lavender-blue, tubular flowers are borne throughout the summer.

'Souvenir'
Also called N. sibirica 'Souvenir D'Andre Chaudron'. Rather invasive but more compact, reaching up to 3 x 3.5 feet.
The showy, abundant, large, mid-blue flowers are borne all summer long, often lasting into mid-autumn.

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA


Nepeta subsessilis ( Japanese Catmint )
A mounding perennial, reaching up to 4.3 x 6 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to coastal cliffs in Japan. It is fast growing and may become very invasive on some sites.
The aromatic, large, toothed, oval or ovate leaves, up to 5.5 x 3 inches in size, are glossy deep gray-green.
The lavender-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers, up to 2 inches in length, are borne on spikes continuously from early summer into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun on any moist to wet, fertile, well drained soil. It tolerates harsh climates including Alberta, Canada. Propagation is from seed or division during autumn. Cut back partially during mid-summer to encourage repeat blooming.

* photo taken on July 2009 in Clarksville, MD


'Blue Dreams'
A compact, upright form, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The bright blue flowers appear from early summer into autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

* photo taken on July 9 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 3 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 15 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 4 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 5 2021 in Columbia, MD


'Candy Cat'
A dwarf form, reaching only 2.2 x 2.4 ( rarely over 1.5 ) feet in size, bearing bright violet flowers from early summer to late autumn.
The foliage is glossy mid-green.

'Cool Cat'
Reaches up to 2.5 x 3 + feet in height bearing abundant lavender-blue flowers from late spring to late autumn.

* photo taken on July 4 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 19 2021 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on June 21 2021 in Columbia, MD


'Sweet Dreams'
Fast growing but more refined, only reaching up to 2.5 x 3 feet.
The very abundant flowers are clear pink. They are borne during early summer to mid-autumn if deadheaded.

* photo taken on June 10 2013 in Columbia, MD


Nepeta ucranica
A vigorous, dense perennial, reaching up to 4.7 x 5 feet, that is native from southeastern Europe to Russia; south to central Asia ( Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan ) and Xinjiang Province in northwest China. It is extremely endangered in Romania where it is only found in Transylvania and has declined considerably over recent centuries. It is also found in neighboring northeast Bulgaria.
The toothed, lance-shaped to ovate leaves, up to 1.5 x 0.7 inches, are mid-green.
The very abundant, purplish-blue flowers are borne early to mid-summer.
* excellent photo link
http://www.carpathianbasinspecies.eu/2_Vascular_Plants(Tracheophyta)/Species/Nepeta_ucranica/Nepeta%20ucranica_1_1_logo_0.html

Nepeta yunnanensis
A perennial reaching up to 4 x 3.5 feet ( usually closer to 2 feet in height ), that is native to China.
The foliage is gray-green.
The intense showy bright blue flowers are borne late spring to early autumn.

'Blue Dragon'
Reaches up to 3 feet with very large, violet-blue flowers borne on upright stems all summer long.
The foliage is deep green.

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MINT FAMILY

PROSTANTHERA

Prostanthera rotundifolia ( Australian Mint Bush )
A bushy perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 feet. In mild climates it is a shrub, reaching up to 7 feet.
It is native to southeastern Australia including Tasmania.
The rounded leaves, up to 0.4 inches in length, are deep green.
The highly aromatic foliage is spearmint scented.
The flowers are purple.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in full sun on fertile, well drained soil.

WESTRINGIA
These are shrubby relatives of the Mint that are native to Australia.
They prefer full sun and well drained soil. They tolerate exposed sites and salt air making them an excellent choice for seashore locations. Pruning is best done after flowering. Propagation from cuttings is the preferrable method of reproduction.

Westringia brevifolia ( Short-Leafed Westringia )
A small shrub native to Tasmania.
Some records include: largest on record - 6 x 5 feet
Hardy zones 9 to 11

Westringia eremicola ( Slender Westringia )
Some records include: largest on record - 6.5 x 6.5 feet
Hardy zones 9 to 11

Westringia fruticosa ( Coastal Rosemary )
A fast growing, dense, mounding, medium-size shrub native to coastal parts of eastern Australia.
Some records include: largest on record - 8 x 17 feet.
The linear leaves, up to 1.3 inches in length, are borne in whorls of 4 around the stems.
The foliage is gray above, felted white beneath.
The white flowers with purple dots on the lower lobes, are borne all year.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 tolerating as low as 20 F. Tolerant of drought, windy conditions and salt air.

'Morning Light'
Fast growing, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet.
The foliage is variegated with a narrow creamy-white margin.
The flowers are white.

'Smokey'
Fast growing and compact, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet.
The foliage is variegated with a narrow creamy-white margin.
The flowers are white.

Westringia glabra ( Violet Westringia )
A fast growing, bushy small shrub native to eastern Australia.
Some records include: largest on record - 8 x 8 ( rarely over 5 ) feet.
The narrow, elliptical leaves, up to 1 inch in length, are borne in whorls of 3 around the stems.
The foliage is glossy deep green above, paler beneath.
The light purple flowers with maroon-red dots, are borne all year, peaking during spring.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 in sun to partial shade.

Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem'
A fast growing, dense, bushy, upright, medium-size shrub that is the hybrid between Westringia eremicola & W. fruticosa.
Some records include: 5 years - 5 x 5 feet; largest on record - 8 x 7 feet.
The linear leaves, up to 1 inches in length, are borne in whorls around the stems.
The foliage is deep green above.
The lavender flowers are borne at the branch tips all year long.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 tolerating as low as 19 F.

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