Nepeta
( NEP - et - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationThese perennial members of the Mint family, commonly called Catnip or Catmint, need full sun to partial shade and moderate water. These plants are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and have naturalized in many areas on the North American continent. Their flowers will attract bees to your garden and come in blue, blue-violet, white, pink, or yellow. They are vigorous growers, and spread freely. Foliage is aromatic. Catmint makes attractive informal low hedges or edgings for beds.
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Nepeta Species and Varietals
The genus Nepeta is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae and includes 295 species. The best growing zones for Nepeta are 1-24, but this varies somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Nepeta cataria (Catnip, Catswort, Catwort, Catmint) This native of the Mediterranean and western Asia reaches 2-3 feet tall and just as wide. Leaves are somewhat fuzzy and grey-green and it sends up spikes of pink or white flowers in late spring and early summertime. It likes light soil and will self-sow easily. The common name of this species refers to its effect on cats. |
Nepeta x faasenii (Catmint, Fassen's Catnip) This sterile hybrid (a cross between Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella) has silvery grey-green foliage and reaches a foot tall and 1.5-2 feet wide at maturity. Flowers are lavender-blue and bloom in late spring and early summertime. If grown as a groundcover, space 1.5 feet apart. Varieties include 'Select Blue' (with darker lavender flowers) and 'Snowflake' (with pure white flowers). |
Nepeta govaniana (Himalayan Catnip) This species is native to the Himalayas, and was first described in 1834. Flowers are cream colored to light yellow, and bloom in loose clusters towards the tops of stems. Flowers dangle from their attachments, and stems rise enough above foliage to make for a wonderful show in spring and summertime. |
Nepeta grandiflora This species is native to Europe and the Caucasus, reaching 2.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide. Foliage is grey-green and flowers are violet-blue, popping in late spring and early summertime. Varieties include 'Bramdean' (with lavender-blue flowers) and 'Dawn to Dusk' (pictured; with lilac-pink flowers and smokey violet calyxes). |
Nepeta racemosa (Nepeta mussinii) (Dwarf Catnip, Raceme Catnip) This plant is native to the Caucasus, Turkey and Iran and grows to be 6 inches to a foot tall and 2 feet wide or more. Leaves range in color from green to grey-green and are hairy. The flowers on this species are lavender, and bloom over a short season in midsummer. If sheared, a second bloom can be encouraged. Reseeds freely and vigorously. Cultivar 'Walker's Low' is a great garden selection. |
Nepeta reichenbachiana This species is native to Armenia and the Caucasus and creates a thick, low mound of foliage 1 foot tall and 2-4 feet wide. Leaves are pale green on top and white underneath. Flowers are deep blue and pop from late spring through fall. This species makes a great groundcover (space plants 3 feet apart for best coverage). |
Nepeta sibirica (Nepeta macrantha, Dracocephalum sibiricum) (Siberian Catnip) This species of Nepeta is native to Siberia and is a sturdy, upright plant with hairy leaves and violet-blue blossoms that bloom in early summer for only a month. Varieties include 'Six Hills Giant' (with deeper blue flowers on a plant that reaches 1.5-3 feet tall and wide) and 'Souvenir d'Andre Chaudron' (pictured; also known as 'Blue Beauty', which reaches 1.5 feet tall and wide and blooms through late summertime). |
Nepeta subsessilis (Short-Stalked Catmint) These plants are native to Japan, and reach 40 inches tall and 20 inches wide. Green leaves are aromatic, and soft blue flowers bloom in clusters in summer and fall. These plants are more compact than others in the genus. Varieties include 'Prelude' and 'Blue Dreams'. |
Caring for Nepeta
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 454 - 455, Nepeta
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