Catmint: A mainstay of perennial gardens

Most of us have heard of Catnip, and cat lovers might even gift their beloved pets with a bit of this intoxicating treat now and then, but not many of us actually grow this plant in our gardens. I suspect the reason for that is that most gardeners don’t want every cat in the neighborhood prowling through their gardens and rolling around through their plants. Nonetheless, you will occasionally find Nepeta cataria, Catnip, in seed catalogs and nurseries. It is classified as an herb, as it falls within the mint family, and its leaves can be used to flavor things like soups, stews, and pasta. Some cats find the scent of the leaves stimulating, while for others it seems to act as a sedative.

Far more common in gardens, however, is the related plant known as Catmint, Nepeta faassenii. Catmint shares many of the same characteristics as Catnip, even down to the scented leaves, but it doesn’t draw nearly as much feline attention. In particular, the cultivar known as ‘Walker’s Low,’ named the 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association, has become a mainstay of modern gardens. What makes Walker’s Low Catmint drive gardeners wild?

Left: Catmint is a pollinator magnet, attracting bees, butterflies, and hum-

mingbirds to the garden. Right: Catmint flowers. Both photos: D. J. Stang, CC BY-
SA 4.0

Above: Its fast-growing nature makes Catmint ideal for highlighting borders or garden features such as this bench.
Left: Mass planting of Catmint makes for an attractive addition to a perennial garden.

For starters, it is tremendously easy to grow. It tolerates hot, sunny, and dry locations, though it will also do well in partial shade with average moisture. It has an extended bloom time, often starting to produce its lavender purple flowers in early spring and continuing through fall. Cutting back spent blossoms periodically will maximize the floral show, but Catmint will continue blooming even if left unattended. Pollinators that include bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, love the nectar-filled flowers. Even in periods before or between blooming, the silvery-gray foliage is attractive, and provides a nice contrast to the true green color found in most other garden plants. It also pairs nicely with plants that have purple or yellow foliage.

Walker’s Low Catmint grows to a height of about 18-24 inches high, and a width of 2-3 feet. Though it is not native, it behaves well in our gardens, spreading quickly but not aggressively and not reseeding nearly as profusely as its relative Catnip.
Because it is adaptable to different types of garden conditions, Catmint can be grown in a variety of settings, from a standard perennial garden to a rock garden or a pollinator garden. It could also be used in an herb garden. While the leaves can be used in teas, Catmint is more of an aromatic, sensory herb than a culinary herb. This plant also looks great when several plants are grown together in mass groups, so it can be used along walkways, near entrances, under mailboxes, signs, or structures.

Matthew Stevens is the County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Pitt County Center. If you have questions about this article or gardening in general, please contact the Pitt County Extension Master Gardeners at [email protected] or 252-902-1705.