What does a Nepeta plant look like?
Nepeta Plants are bushy hardy perennials that range from 15 to 90 cm in height. They have an abundance if small purple, yellow, blue or white flowers that bloom from the end of spring and throughout summer. Their size makes Nepeta useful as an edging plant or for use at the front of a border.
How tall does Nepeta cataria grow?
Ranging in height from 12 to 18 inches, it is often used as a colorful groundcover. Nepeta cataria (catnip): More aromatic than catmint, this is the plant that frisky felines go crazy for, but its ornamental attributes are lacking and it tends to be weedy and invasive.
What is the biggest Nepeta plant?
'Six Hills Giant’ Nepeta x faassenii is one of the tallest-growing Nepetas and has lavender-blue flowers. It grows up to 36 inches tall and 30 inches wide, so be sure to give it plenty of room in your garden. Nepeta subsessilis ‘Sweet Dreams' features pink flowers with burgundy bracts.
How tall does Nepeta recemosa grow?
This 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year reaches 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide and is one of the hardiest and most reliable Nepetas. Nepeta recemosa 'Little Titch' is a dwarf variety with pale blue flowers.
Does Nepeta spread?
The seed-grown catmints can be aggressively weedy, spreading themselves throughout the garden and crowding out neighboring perennials.
Does Nepeta come back each year?
Nepeta is a reliable perennial, very hardy and tolerant of all conditions and it returns reliably each year.
How much space does catmint need?
They require plenty of space too and should be spaced (or thinned) to at least a foot (31 cm.) or so apart. Overcrowded plants can lead to powdery mildew or leaf spot, especially in hot, humid climates.
Is Nepeta catmint invasive?
The genus Nepeta contains a mind boggling array of plants. The true catmint species described above is a big invasive plant. It reaches three feet tall, producing sparse white flowers.
Should you cut back Nepeta?
After flowering, Nepeta can be cut back for a fresh flush of growth and a second show of flowers. Cutting back stems by one third as flower buds appear will keep plants more compact and delay flowering.
Should I cut back Nepeta in winter?
Even though it can be unsightly in winter, prune catmint in spring or once you know the growing season is truly over. Cutting it back even late in the season encourages it to resprout, and that new growth is susceptible to cold.
How do I stop catmint from flopping?
0:191:05How to Keep Plants from Falling Open in the Center - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne tip that you can do is just pinch off the very tips. Here which encourages new growth fromMoreOne tip that you can do is just pinch off the very tips. Here which encourages new growth from inside here you can see where there's a couple little leaves.
What goes well with Nepeta?
Companion Planting SuggestionsAgastache.Lupins.Astrantia.Alliums.Salvias.Yarrow.Verbena.Hardy geraniums (cranesbill)More items...•
Does catmint spread quickly?
Catmints are fast-growing plants. When they first begin in spring, they form tidy little mounds of neat new foliage. This quickly grows outward as plants begin to set their buds for their flower show. One of the most common varieties grown is called 'Walker's Low.
Will catmint attract cats to my garden?
Catmint vs. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a common, white-flowered plant in the mint family found throughout the United States, especially in disturbed areas. Cats love to roll in these low-growing plants, and cat toys filled with the dried leaves are famous for driving cats wild.
Is Nepeta the same as catmint?
The common name catmint refers to a number of species in the Nepeta genus of herbaceous perennials in the mint family. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a long-used medicinal herb that drives kitties wild, while other species, including N. mussinii (syn. N.
Should catmint be cut back in the fall?
Catmint (Nepeta) Luckily, catmint can be pruned back heavily any time of the year. In the fall, you can cut these back to as low as a few inches from the ground, but you'll have a hole in your garden until they flush back in the spring.
Is catmint a perennial?
Catmint is a carefree, easy-to-grow plant with an extra-long bloom time that deserves a spot in any landscape. A reliable long-lived perennial, catmint (Nepeta) is a member of the mint family. It produces aromatic gray-green foliage and upright flower spikes in shades of lavender-blue, pink or white.
Does catmint spread fast?
Catmints are fast-growing plants. When they first begin in spring, they form tidy little mounds of neat new foliage. This quickly grows outward as plants begin to set their buds for their flower show.
Can Nepeta be grown in pots?
Fill three- or four-inch pots with potting mix and press seeds into the soil, barely covering. Keep moist until seedlings appear in two to three weeks and then place the pots under bright light until they develop at least two sets of true leaves.
How do you care for a low Nepeta Walker?
Cut back just above ground-level in mid-spring after the first flush of blooms. Shear off faded flowers in June to re-bloom. Nepeta 'Walker's Low' thrives in harsh conditions.
How tall is Nepeta racemosa?
Ranging in height from 12 to 18 inches, it is often used as a colorful groundcover.
How big is a lily?
Height/Spread: 2 to 2½ feet tall, 2½ to 3 feet wide. Don’t let the name fool you. This lovely cultivar, dubbed after the garden in Ireland where it originated, bears upright plumes of lavender-blue flowers nearly a foot long. It blooms profusely for months on end, from late spring through midsummer.
How tall is Walker's Low?
Height/Spread: 16 to 18 inches tall, 2 to 3 feet wide. This compact version of ‘Walker’s Low’ is covered from May to September with bright lavender flowers, held in dense clusters above attractive mounds of blue-green foliage.
When does catmint bloom?
Dense and colorful flowers cover this catmint from early summer until fall. Its strong growth does not flop and grows to a broad mound throughout the growing season.
Is catnip a weed?
Catnip ( Nepeta cataria) is more aromatic than catmint. Its ornamental attributes are lacking and it tends to be weedy and invasive. In the garden, it offers the most value as a culinary herb or as a repellant for certain insects, including mosquitoes, aphids and squash bugs.
Can catmints grow in shade?
Although most prefer full sun, they won’t mind a bit of afternoon shade, especially when grown in hot climates. Catmint will grow in just about any type of well-drained soil. Wet or soggy sites can lead to root rot.
Is catmint a good plant?
If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails plant that will bloom for months on end with very little pampering, catmint is sure to make you purr with delight. Unlike its close relative catnip (both are members of the mint family), catmint is better behaved and much showier. The soft gray-green foliage and billowy clusters of lavender-blue flowers are ...
How tall does catnip grow?
The leaves can be used to make cat toys, tea or seasoning. Plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall.
How to divide catnip?
Divide catnip plants in the fall. Dig the entire plant, use a shovel or spading fork to cut or pry it into sections and replant the sections spaced 18 inches apart. Water thoroughly immediately after planting and keep the soil moist for two weeks. After that, gradually reduce watering until you are watering only when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry. Harvest leaves sparingly as soon as new growth appears.
When is catnip ready to harvest?
Catnip plants will be fully mature and ready for harvest by July. Harvest by cutting the plants to the ground. Tie the stems together and dry the leaves. An established catnip plant grows quickly and it will have time to regrow and produce another harvest by early fall.
What zone is Nepeta?
A wide hardiness zone - Hardy to Zone 3a to 8a, growing just superbly in hot, dry conditions as well as cool and moist conditions. Vigorous - Nepeta grows very quickly, growing from a cutting into a full-sized plant in just a year as well as continually putting on new growth and flowers all season long.
How long does Nepeta flower last?
Once you’ve gotten your nepeta hydrated, you’ll be good to go - it has an amazing vase life, and even thought the individual flowers shed the overall lifespan of nepeta is a good seven days or more .
What is Nepeta used for?
Nepeta can be used in three stages as three different types of floral material - foliage, airy filler (in budded form or dried form) and as filler flower (in bloom). Based on your need, you can harvest accordingly. Harvesting Nepeta.
How to harvest Nepeta?
Nepeta can be harvested as soon as the stems start getting “woody” - stiff and firm enough to support itself in the vase - which can be tested by performing the “wiggle test”. Grab the stem by the base and wiggle it back and forth - if the stem is floppy and waves back and forth, it’s not ready.
What does a cat do when he encounters Nepeta?
Common cat behavior when encountering nepeta includes drooling, sleepiness, anxiety, running around, and rolling around in it (although the effect wears off rather quickly - kind of like how we get used to even the most delicious of scents quickly).
When to deadhead Nepeta?
Deadheading Nepeta. Nepeta does best when it’s deadheaded after it blooms. This will keep it short and stocky and mounded and will encourage it to produce more flowers after the first initial flush. If you’re growing ‘Walker’s Low’ the nice thing is that it is a sterile plant and will just shed its flowers.
What are the pollinators on Nepeta?
Pollinator magnet - Probably the most-beloved and visited plant in the garden by pollinators of all types. Honeybees, carpenter bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, butterflies, moths - they are always all over the nepeta!
What is a Nepeta plant?
Nepeta Plants are bushy hardy perennials that range from 15 to 90 cm in height. They have an abundance if small purple, yellow, blue or white flowers that bloom from the end of spring and throughout summer. Their size makes Nepeta useful as an edging plant or for use at the front of a border. Some common names for Nepeta include Catnip and Catmint.
How long does it take for Nepeta to germinate?
It should take about one to three weeks to germinate at 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. Once ready the plants should be spaced at about 20 to 60 cm apart (depending on Nepeta species size) in the garden either in the autumn or before the last frost of spring.
What are some common names for Nepeta?
Some common names for Nepeta include Catnip and Catmint.
How to grow catnip and catmint?
They can grow in either sunny or partially shaded parts of the garden. When first growing Catnip and catmint indoors then start about 10 weeks in advance.
What is the name of the plant that grows to about 1 foot tall?
Nepeta mussinii: Attractive ornamental plant that grows to about 1 foot tall; often used as a ground cover and also attracts butterflies. Nepeta x faassenii: Produces oval, intricately veined, gray-green leaves and abundant lavender flowers, from spring through autumn; not as invasive as other Nepeta species.
How long does it take for catnip to grow?
How to Plant Catnip. Catnip can be planted in your garden in spring or fall, from seed or plants. It will sprout in two to three weeks if started from seed. Cutting back the plants after the first bloom set will allow enough time for it to completely regrow and bloom again.
How to grow catnip in a pot?
Growing catnip in a pot is a good option because it will prevent the plant from spreading into unwanted places. Use a container that’s at least 12 inches in diameter , and make sure it has a drainage hole. An unglazed clay container is ideal because it will allow excess soil moisture to escape through its walls. Use a well-draining potting mix, and plant your catnip at the same depth it was in its previous container.
What is the common name for catnip?
Plant taxonomy classifies catnip plants as Nepeta cataria. Note that the common name "catmint" is preferred in the U.K. It may be tempting to use the two names interchangeably, but in the U.S., " catmint " typically refers to one of the ornamental relatives of N. cataria. Fewer cats are attracted to ornamental types. In any case, look for the scientific or botanical name when shopping for plants to be sure you get the right type of catnip.
How hot does catnip need to be?
Plant catnip in soil that registers a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It will grow best in daily temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In hot, humid climates, it may need some afternoon shade.
How to keep catnip from blooming?
To prevent the plant from blooming, simply pinch off the top of the plant when flowers start to form. To avoid damage from unwelcome neighborhood cats, consider protecting your catnip with some type of enclosure. Insects and rodents are not a problem, and catnip does not tend to suffer diseases.
What temperature does catnip like?
Catnip prefers temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees. The plant tends to struggle in hot, humid climates. Especially in high humidity, make sure there is good air circulation around the plant to help prevent fungal growth.
Where does catnip grow?
There are different catnip plants from Japan, China, Pakistan, the Himalayas, Crete, Portugal, Spain, and more. It seems like the herb grows in some form or another in almost every country. Most of these prefer the same dry, hot sites as common catnip, but a few such as Kashmir Nepeta, Six Hills Giant, and Japanese catmint prefer moist, well-draining soil and can bloom in part shade.
What is the height of a Persian catmint?
Persian catmint ( Nepeta mussinii )– Lavender flowers and a height of 15 inches (38 cm.) Most of these types of catnip have grayish green, heart-shaped leaves with fine hairs. All have the classic square stem of the mint family.
What is the most common type of catnip?
Varieties of Catnip. The most common of the catnip plant varieties is Nepeta cataria, also known as true catnip. There are many other species of Nepeta, many of which have several colors of flowers and even specialized scents.
Does catnip attract cats?
Image by Bracker58. Catnip is a member of the mint family. There are several types of catnip, each easy to grow, vigorous, and attractive. Yes, if you wondered, these plants will attract your local felines. When the leaves are bruised, they release nepetalactone, the compound that makes cats euphoric. Exposure to the plant will not only bring the ...
