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Lamiaceae
NEPETA racemosa 'Snowflake'
Spike Catmint
Small and tidy, this is a dwarf selection of catmint and has narcotic effects on felines. This species is native to the Caucasus, Turkey and Iran where the climate is cold and dry. It has undergone extensive breeding to yield more garden-worthy forms such as this dwarf, ‘Snowflake.’ Its leaves are small, scalloped, soft gray-green and set opposite one another on the stems. Its low, spreading habit remains compact without pruning and has none of the legginess of its predecessors. It emits a musky, subtle minty fragrance when crushed, which cat lovers deem a benefit of planting it along foot paths.
The small, two-lipped, tubular flowers of ‘Snowflake’ are white and held loosely on upright flower spikes. The flowers are highly attractive to bees. It is recommended they be severely deadheaded just as the flush begins to fade in order to promote a second bloom and more lush foliage later in the season.
This plant is very easy to grow though known to self sow where conditions are right. It prefers well-drained light soils and thrives in sandy ground. Give it full sun in beds, borders, herb gardens and containers.
8 - 1
5 - 8
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Herb
Full Sun, Partial Sun
12"-15" / 30.5cm - 38.1cm
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Hybrid Origin
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Drought
Fast
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Cushion/Mound-forming
Summer
Showy
White
Tan
Gray Green
Yes
No
Single
Medium
Matte
Container, Edging, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Sometimes
Butterflies
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