Plant Min Zone: 3a
Plant Max Zone: 9b
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average, Rich
Bloom Season: Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Fall
Flower Color: Lavender
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Mint Green
Summer Foliage Color: Mint Green
Fall Foliage Color: Mint Green
Evergreen Foliage: Some
Winter Interest: No
Scented Flowers: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Medium, High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Medium
Humidity Tolerance: Medium, High
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Rocky Soils, Sandy Soils, Shallow Soils, Clay Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 1.5' - 2'
Width: 1.5' - 2.5'
Growth Rate: Fast
Service Life: Very Long: 10-20 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Perennial to Ground in Early Winter After Hard Freezes: Some Winter Interest.
Plant Grouping Size: Medium Grouping of 5-10, Mass Planting of 10 or more
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure, East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Resistant to Rabbits, Top of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Long Blooming Season, Multiple Seasons of Interest, Emerges Early in Spring, Long Lasting Fall Color
Special Landscape Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control, Lawn Substitute
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: Overused in the Landscape
Nepeta (Catmint) Is one of the most adaptable, permanent perennials available in our climate and in your landscape! Definitely a "once it's their plant if there forever". Originally native to the Caucasus, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, there are numerous cultivars now with improved flowering and growth habit. Generally, the mint green foliage is fine textured and compact. Spring emergence in Kansas zone 6a is very early (usually in March) and will tolerate late freezes. This creates very early season interest in the garden while other plants are still dormant. Usually within a month of emerging, lavender-blue flowers cover the plant for up to six weeks. Pollinators enjoy the feast especially when catmint is used as a mass planting groundcover. Following spring flowering, many varieties develop attractive foliage and continual sporadic flowering. Some varieties have another big flower show in the fall especially if they are trimmed back and deadheaded once in late summer. Foliage is persistent and remains attractive late into the fall down to about 20° F providing late-season interest. Winter dried foliage is a somewhat attractive light gray and will eventually need to be cut or mowed to the ground before new growth emerges in the spring. Catmint is tolerant of almost any kind of soil including clay but will not tolerate poorly drained soil. Frequent watering is OK in normal garden soils but there is a risk of excessive growth and flopping. Catmint looks best in full sun but will still flower and look decent with part shade or 1/2 day full sun. This makes it adaptable to any side of the house even called northside if it gets full sun by mid-summer when the sun angle gets high. Cold hardiness or heat stress is not a problem at all in zone 6. Combine with just about any other perennial or shrub with a different flower and leaf color. It's hard to imagine a perennial or pollinator garden in Kansas without Catmint! Contrary to popular belief, cats do not destroy or eat this plant but may be attracted to it and create a nest beside it. They are really after catnip, a closely related plant.