Genus: Nepeta

Common Names: various

Description coming soon.

Distribution: Europe, Asia, Africa

Nepeta 'Kit Cat'

Common name(s): catmint

Description: perennial; a tidy, low-growing catmint with gray-green foliage and dense blue flower clusters throughout the summer and into autumn. Hardy, long-lived, and low maintenance. 

Height: to 15 in. Spread: to 2 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators, a stimulant for cats

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Drought: adapted to 3.5 months of summer drought

Nepeta 'Pink Pixie'

Common name(s): catmint

Description: perennial; our own 2009 introduction from a chance seedling found in our garden. A miniature catmint with pastel pink flowers instead of the more common lavender-blue. Blooms from early summer into autumn.

Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 15 in.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators, stimulant for cats

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Drought: adapted to 3.5 months of summer drought

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'

Common name(s): catmint

Description: perennial; one of the largest of the catmints and dazzling when planted en masse. One of only 4 cultivars to receive top merits in the 1999-2006 Nepeta trials at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Abundant clusters of blue-violet flowers from summer into autumn. Especially vigorous and hardy. 

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators, stimulant for cats

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Drought: adapted to 3.5 months of summer drought

Nepeta 'Snowflake'

Common name(s): catmint

Description: perennial; an uncommon selection of catmint with pure white flowers. Diminutive in form with textured gray-green foliage. An excellent choice for the rockery.

Height: to 15 in. Spread: to 15 in.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators, stimulant for cats

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Nepeta 'Walker's Low'

Common name(s): catmint

Description: perennial; a 1988 introduction from the U.K. and named for a garden there. One of only 4 catmints to receive top merits in the 1999-2006 Nepeta trials at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Sturdy stems and luminous blue-violet flowers that cover the plant entirely. Long-blooming from summer well into autumn.

Height: to 30 in. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators, stimulant for cats

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Nepeta cataria

Common name(s): catnip

Description: a somewhat short-lived perennial known for its intoxicating effects on cats. Leaves are also used in traditional medicine and have been used for culinary applications as well. Often seeds profusely in the garden which can be prevented if flowerheads are diligently removed before setting seed. Leaves are more potent dried than fresh.

Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.

Position: full sun to part shade and well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators, stimulant for cats

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Drought: adapted to 2.5 months of summer drought