TL
Family
Lamiaceae
Botanical Name
Nepeta
Plant Common Name
Catmint
General Description
There are lots of wonderful, tough ornamentals for sun in this genus. Nepeta comprises almost 250 species that are naturally distributed across Europe, Asia and Africa, though some species have also naturalized in North America. Most are herbaceous perennials, though a few survive as annuals, and are commonly called catmint.
The leaves of most catmints are lance-shaped, heart-shaped or rounded and have toothed edges. They may be green, gray-green or silvery and many have soft, pubescent surface hairs. The leaves are opposite on the stem and tend to have a musky, minty fragrance, but some lack aroma entirely.
The small, two-lipped, tubular flowers are borne in terminal clusters that may be loose or spiky. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and may be white, pink, blue, violet or lavender. Sometimes they are dusted with a sprinkling of violet or rose spots. The flowers most commonly appear in summer, but flowering can vary from species to species. Many ornamental cultivars can bloom all summer with regular trimming and deadheading.
There are several great species that are valuable herbally and ornamentally. The well-known perennial herb Nepeta cataria, or catnip, is a feline favorite and very easy to grow, though its tends to self-sow vigorously. The garden favorite Nepeta x faassenii it tough and has mounds of silvery foliage and loose clusters of blue, violet or white flowers. The larger-flowered Nepeta subsessilis has lance-shaped leaves and big, fragrant violet-blue flowers.
Culture is species dependent, but in general most cultivated catmints like full sun, and well-drained soil with average to good fertility. Many self-sow, though ornamentals tend to do so gently. Catmint is ideal for sunny borders, herb gardens or containers.
Characteristics
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
