Catmint...an invasive, but attractive blooming perennial for the flower garden

The above image taken September 6, 2009

About The Blue Catmint Nepeta

Catmint, with a mint fragrance, these long blooming blue flowers on tall spike-like stems spread rapidly. When our cat Nikki was still alive (she passed away last year at the age of 17 years) she romped and snoozed in our Catmint every day. Even though she flattened the plant, I never minded. The plant always rebounded. And don't worry... you won't get all the neighborhood cats racing to your garden. It just doesn't happen. Many cats are indifferent to the plant.

I believe that every garden should have this perennial planted even though it can get somewhat unruly. Nepeta is so versatile.

How To Grow The Catmint Perennial

This blue flowering perennial makes a great substitute for Lavender, makes a great under planting, repetitive planting, and mass planting.

My Catmint grows in my mounded Island Garden. In order to keep the plant looking tidy, I cut it back by 1/3 mid summer. I suppose the trim could be called a form of deadheading.

The perennials and annuals planted nearby: Ribbon Grass, Rudbeckia Goldsturm, Celosias, Nicotiana and Salvia Victoria Blue. All of these plants both annuals and perennials make great companion plants.

Check out my Site Index Page for a listing of additional annuals and perennials to plant in your flower garden design.

Just so you know...The variety "Walker's Low' met all of the requires for the PPAs requirements for Perennial of the Year 2007 selection:

* Suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions * Low maintenance * Pest and disease resistant * Readily available in the year of release * Multiple season of ornamental interest * Easily propagated by asexual or seed propagation

Catmint Features

• grows in sun and part-shade
• grows 12" to 36" hight
• can form into a small shrub-like size
• member of the mint family
• easy to grow with few pests or problems
• billowing foliage topped with spikes of blue flowers in early summer with repeat blooms throughout the season
• deadhead for repeat blooming
• deer resistant
• prefers well-drained soil
• attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

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