Nepeta | Heijnen Plants

50cm

Nepeta × faassenii Garden catmint

5-10cm

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Nepeta × faassenii 'Six Hills Giant' Catmint

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Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low' Catmint

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90cm

Nepeta sibirica Siberian catmint

5-10cm

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Nepeta, commonly known as catnip or catmint, is a versatile and enchanting genus beloved for its easy care and lovely blossoms. With origins stretching to the heart of Siberia, these plants have adapted to thrive in a variety of climates and are well-regarded for their attractive foliage and delicate flowers. Often utilized in borders and group plantings, Nepeta provides a lengthy season of interest with blooms appearing from late spring through to early autumn.

Key Features

The Nepeta genus stands out with several notable features that make it a favorite among gardeners:

Flowering Period: Nepeta plants boast an extended flowering period, gracing gardens with their charming blue and purple blooms from May through August.
Foliage: The foliage of Nepeta is equally appealing, presenting in shades of green, grey, and silver throughout the growing season, adding texture and color even when not in bloom.
Growth Habit: Exhibiting a bushy and spreading growth habit, Nepeta creates a soft, informal look that is perfect for naturalistic and cottage-style gardens.
Soil and Sun Requirements: These resilient plants are tolerant of all soil types, provided they are well-drained, and they flourish under full sun.
Maintenance: Nepeta is not evergreen, so it requires minimal maintenance, but benefits from regular deadheading to extend flowering and maintain a tidy appearance.

Tips

To ensure your Nepeta plants thrive, consider these simple tips:

Planting: When planting Nepeta, choose a sunny spot to encourage optimal growth and flowering.
Propagation: Nepeta can be easily propagated by division, softwood cuttings, or semi-ripe cuttings, offering a range of methods to expand your garden or share with fellow enthusiasts.
Watering: These plants have average water needs, so be sure to establish a regular watering schedule, especially during dry spells.
Pruning: Regularly remove faded flowers to promote a second flush of blooms and to prevent self-seeding, which can lead to overabundant spread within the garden.

By incorporating Nepeta into your garden, you can enjoy its delightful blooms and attractive foliage throughout the warmer months, creating a peaceful and colorful retreat.

Types

Embrace the serene beauty and subtle charm offered by the enchanting varieties of Nepeta, commonly known as catnip or catmint. These perennials boast a profusion of lavender to violet flowers that gracefully sway atop fragrant foliage, creating a picturesque display of color and texture in any garden setting. Ideal for borders, rock gardens, or as a whimsical ground cover, Nepeta species are a treasure trove of visual delight and aromatic pleasure.

The Nepeta faassenii, commonly known as garden catmint or Faassen's catmint, is a perennial favorite among gardeners. This herbaceous plant graces gardens with its delicate blue flowers during the warm months of June and July. Renowned for its ease of care and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, Nepeta × faassenii is an excellent addition to borders and flower beds, providing a splash of color and a pleasant structure with its gray-green foliage and charming flower spikes.
The Nepeta faassenii 'Six Hills Giant' is a robust variety of catmint that offers a profusion of striking blue to purple flowers from May through August. This perennial is highly valued for its extended blooming period and ability to attract a host of pollinators to the garden. Its aromatic foliage also adds a sensory delight to any garden setting. Ideal for creating a soft, romantic feel in cottage gardens, the 'Six Hills Giant' is both a visual and olfactory treasure.
The Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low' is celebrated for its enchanting blue and purple blooms that grace the summer garden in June and July. Often referred to as catmint, this hardy perennial is prized for its aromatic foliage and undemanding nature. It adds a touch of whimsy to any landscape design, cascading beautifully over edges or softening hardscapes. Its low-maintenance character, coupled with its drought tolerance, makes it a splendid choice for both novice and experienced gardeners seeking to create a serene and inviting outdoor space.

Ideal placement of a Nepeta

For optimal growth, this species flourishes in locations that receive full sun. The abundance of sunlight ensures the most vibrant display of its blue and purple blossoms from spring through autumn. While the plant is adaptable to various soil conditions, it prospers in {S. well-drained soils}. Good drainage is crucial to prevent waterlogging, which can impede the plant's health. The bushy, spreading growth habit of Nepeta makes it ideal for borders, group plantings, or even as a charming addition to containers where its full potential can be admired.

Planting a Nepeta

For optimal growth, choose a location that receives full sunlight. The adaptable nature of this species allows it to thrive in various soil types, provided they are well-drained. When planting Nepeta, ensure that the spacing between the plants accommodates their bushy, spreading growth habit. This will allow for ample air circulation and reduce competition for nutrients and water.

After positioning the plant in the ground, backfill the soil and press down gently to eliminate air pockets. Water the area to settle the soil around the roots and maintain average moisture levels, especially during dry spells, to support the plant's development.

Fertilising a Nepeta

To ensure the Nepeta thrives and displays a profusion of its characteristic blue and purple blooms, an appropriate fertilization regimen is essential. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied at the onset of the growing season will support its lush foliage and vibrant flowering. It is best to fertilize in early spring as new growth appears, providing the nutrients necessary for the plant to establish a healthy foundation for the year's growth.

The Nepeta is adaptable to a variety of soil types, but it is important to ensure that the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogged roots. Since Nepeta exhibits a bushy spreading growth habit, the nutrients provided by the fertilizer will be instrumental in sustaining its vigorous expansion through the flowering months. A second application of fertilizer can be beneficial in midsummer to sustain the plant's energy needs as it continues to flower and grow.

Pruning a Nepeta

To maintain a tidy appearance and encourage a second bloom, it is advisable to prune Nepeta after the first flush of flowers begins to fade. Deadheading, or removing the spent blooms, will invigorate the plant, allowing for continued growth and potentially more blossoms in the same season. This regular grooming will also help prevent the species from self-seeding excessively. For a more substantial rejuvenation, cut the plant back by a third to half its height, which will stimulate new foliage and blooms.

Watering a Nepeta

With an average water requirement, Nepeta thrives when moisture is consistent but not excessive. The key to watering this species is to ensure that the soil remains well-drained to prevent waterlogging, which could be detrimental to the plant's health. During the growing season, especially in the warmer months, it is important to monitor soil moisture levels and water when the top inch of soil begins to dry out. However, once established, Nepeta is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering and able to withstand brief periods of dry conditions. Regular checks and balanced watering will support its lush, aromatic foliage and vibrant blooms.

The characteristics of a Nepeta

Nepeta thrives with minimal intervention, making it an excellent choice for both novice and seasoned gardeners. The plant's aromatic foliage is a natural attractant to felines, often providing them with a sense of euphoria. Beyond its appeal to cats, Nepeta is a wonderful addition to pollinator gardens, as its flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies. This hardy perennial also serves as a beautiful ground cover, adding a layer of texture and color to any landscape.

Separating/dividing a Nepeta

To rejuvenate and maintain the health of Nepeta, division is recommended. This process, ideally performed in the cooler months of spring or autumn, involves lifting the plant from the soil and separating it into smaller sections. Each division should have a fair amount of roots and shoots to ensure successful reestablishment when replanted. By doing so, gardeners can stimulate new growth and prevent overcrowding. The divisions can be spaced out in well-drained soil under full sun exposure, where they will thrive and continue to produce their characteristic blue and purple blooms.

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