Illustration of Nepeta cataria by Jacob Sturm (1796). [Public Domain]
Genus: Nepeta
Common Names: various
Description coming soon.
Distribution: Europe, Asia, Africa
Our Selection
Nepeta 'Kit Cat'
Common name(s): catmint
Description: perennial; allegedly a tidy, dwarf 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.
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 summer into autumn.
Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 18 in.
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 catmints 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.
Nepeta 'Snowflake'
Common name(s): catmint
Description: perennial; a surprisingly 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.
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.
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.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.