Catmint, Persian Catmint, Dwarf Catnip, Raceme Catnip, Nepeta mussiniii
Nepeta racemosa, commonly known as catmint or Persian catmint, is a species of flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Caucasus, Turkey, and northern Iran, and it is a popular plant for gardeners due to its attractive flowers, fragrant foliage, and ease of care.
Botanical Description: Nepeta racemosa forms an attractive spreading clump of ascending, upright stems, richly covered with white, blue, or purple flower spikes in late spring to early summer. After the initial bloom, deadheading the spent flowers can encourage a second bloom later in the summer. The flowers are held above the strongly aromatic, gray-green foliage. The fragrant foliage of Nepeta plants is also a desirable feature, and it is often used in herbal teas and as a culinary herb.
Height/spread: Nepeta racemosa typically grows to a height of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm), with a spread of about 2 feet (60 cm).
Hardiness: The plant is a hardy plant that can withstand cold temperatures and is rated as USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
Culture: Nepeta racemosa is a popular garden plant because it is easy to grow and maintain. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil, but it can tolerate a range of soil types and conditions. Once established, Nepeta racemosa is drought tolerant and requires minimal maintenance.
Low maintenance: The plant requires minimal care once established, making it a great choice for busy gardeners.
Landscape uses: Nepeta racemosa is often used in garden borders, as it forms a low, spreading mound of foliage that is highly ornamental. It is also a good choice for perennial borders, rock gardens, containers, and other garden settings where low-growing plants are desired. It is also great for edging beds or paths and even as a ground cover.
Pollinators: The flowers of Nepeta plants are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, making them a valuable addition to any garden.
Deer and rabbit-resistant: While no plant is completely resistant to deer or rabbits, Nepeta is known to be less appealing to these animals due to its strong fragrance and fuzzy leaves.
Pest and diseases: Catmint is resilient to most pests and diseases.
Propagation: The plant can be propagated by division in the spring or fall, and it benefits from regular pruning to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.
Overall, Nepeta plants are an excellent choice for gardeners who want to attract pollinators and enjoy the fragrant foliage and attractive flowers of these easy-to-grow perennials. Whether you are a cat owner or simply looking to add some color and fragrance to your garden, Nepeta plants are a great choice.
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Nepeta |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Late) Fall |
| Height |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ground Covers |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
Nepeta racemosa is an attractive and highly versatile plant to consider for your garden. Here are some reasons why you might want to grow this plant:
Aesthetic Appeal: Nepeta racemosa has lovely spires of lavender-blue flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall, adding color and interest to your garden for an extended period.
Attracts Pollinators: Its flowers are known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making it a great choice for those looking to support biodiversity in their garden.
Drought Tolerant: Once established, Nepeta racemosa is drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in drier climates or those seeking low-maintenance plants.
Deer and Rabbit Resistant: This plant is not very palatable to deer and rabbits, so it’s less likely to be damaged by these garden pests.
Aromatic Foliage: The grey-green leaves of Nepeta racemosa are aromatic. When crushed, they emit a pleasant scent which can add an additional sensory element to your garden.
Versatility: It can be used in various landscape applications, including border edging, mass planting, and container gardening. It’s also suitable for cottage gardens, rock gardens, or in naturalized areas.
Companion Planting: This plant pairs well with other perennial plants like roses, making it a good choice for those planning a perennial border.
Easy to Grow: This plant is not fussy about soil type and can grow in a variety of conditions, making it a good choice for beginner gardeners.
When incorporating Nepeta racemosa (raceme catmint) into your garden design, there are several strategies to consider for maximizing its impact and visual appeal.
Borders and Edging: With its mounding habit and spiky flower spikes, Nepeta racemosa is perfect for the front of a border or as an edging plant along paths or walls. Its long flowering period also ensures visual interest throughout most of the growing season.
Mass Planting: Nepeta racemosa has a spreading growth habit and can be used to create a sea of blue when planted en masse. This is especially effective on slopes, in rock gardens, or in larger borders.
Companion Planting: Raceme catmint is a fantastic companion plant. It pairs well with other perennials that have similar growing requirements like roses, salvia, and ornamental grasses. Its bluish-purple flowers provide a nice color contrast to plants with yellow, orange, or white flowers. And its gray-green leaves provide an excellent backdrop to other plants.
Container Gardening: You can also grow Nepeta racemosa in containers. Combine it with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants for a low-maintenance, high-impact container garden.
Wildlife Garden: Given its attraction to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, consider incorporating Nepeta racemosa into a wildlife-friendly garden design.
Cottage Gardens: With its informal charm and attractive flowers, Nepeta racemosa is a classic choice for cottage-style gardens.
Remember that Nepeta racemosa prefers full sun and well-drained soil, so choose a location that provides these conditions. The plant is fairly low maintenance and doesn’t typically require staking, pruning, or deadheading, although you can shear back the plants after the first flush of flowers to tidy up the plant and encourage another round of blooming.
Given its drought tolerance, it can also be a good choice for xeriscaping or low-water gardening designs. Keep in mind, though, that while it’s drought-tolerant once established, it will need regular water when first planted and until it gets established.
Nepeta racemosa, also known as raceme catmint, is a beautiful perennial that is versatile and easy to grow. When choosing companion plants, consider those that thrive in similar conditions and offer contrasting or complementary colors, shapes, and textures. Here are a few great companion plants for Nepeta racemosa:
Roses: Catmint and roses are a classic combination. The bluish-purple flowers of the catmint contrast beautifully with the roses, and the gray-green leaves provide a nice backdrop.
Salvia: Salvia also pairs well with catmint, offering a bold, vertical accent to the mounding habit of the catmint. Consider Salvia ‘Caradonna’ with its deep purple spikes or ‘May Night’ with its bright blue flowers.
Ornamental Grasses: The wispy and airy nature of ornamental grasses can provide a beautiful contrast to the more substantial form of Nepeta racemosa. Try pairing it with Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) or Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass).
Achillea (Yarrow): Yarrow’s flat-topped flower clusters contrast nicely with the spiky flowers of catmint. Try ‘Moonshine’ yarrow with its bright yellow flowers.
Echinacea (Coneflower): With their large, daisy-like flowers, coneflowers provide a lovely contrast to the small, delicate flowers of catmint. Plus, they come in a variety of colors, from white to yellow to pink and purple, offering plenty of options for color contrast.
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan): The bright yellow flowers of Rudbeckia contrast beautifully with the blue flowers of Nepeta racemosa.
Lavender: Both plants have gray-green foliage and bluish-purple flowers, and they share similar cultural requirements. They make for a lovely, monochromatic planting scheme.
Coreopsis: The vibrant yellow flowers of Coreopsis contrast beautifully with the cool tones of Nepeta racemosa, providing a stunning color combination in the garden.
Remember to consider factors like the mature size of the plants, bloom time, and cultural needs when choosing companion plants. With a little planning, Nepeta racemosa can be a stunning addition to your garden, adding color and attracting beneficial insects and pollinators.
Growing Nepeta racemosa, or raceme catmint, is relatively straightforward, as it’s a quite hardy and adaptable plant. Here are some steps to guide you:
Select the Right Location: Nepeta racemosa prefers a location in full sun, although it can tolerate some shade. However, too much shade can result in leggy plants and less vigorous blooming. The plant thrives best in well-drained soil and can tolerate poor, dry, and rocky soils quite well.
Prepare the Soil: While Nepeta racemosa isn’t fussy about soil, it does need it to be well-draining. If you have heavy clay soil, consider amending it with compost or coarse sand to improve its texture and drainage.
Planting: You can plant Nepeta racemosa from seeds, cuttings, or purchased plants. If planting from a pot, dig a hole the same depth as the pot and twice as wide. Remove the plant from the pot, place it in the hole, and backfill it with soil, firming it gently around the base of the plant.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting. While Nepeta racemosa is drought-tolerant once established, it will need regular water when first planted and until it gets established.
Ongoing Care: This plant is quite low-maintenance. You can shear it back after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second bloom and to keep it tidy. It generally doesn’t require fertilization. If desired, a layer of compost around the plants in the spring should be sufficient.
Overwintering: Nepeta racemosa is a perennial plant and should survive winter in USDA zones 4-8. If you live in a colder climate, consider mulching around the base of the plant to provide some extra protection.
Pests and Diseases: This plant is generally quite resistant to pests and diseases.
Remember, every garden and growing condition is unique, so keep an eye on your plants and adjust your care as necessary. With the right care, Nepeta racemosa can be a beautiful and beneficial addition to your garden.
By Islavicek, Shutterstock
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Nepeta |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Late) Fall |
| Height |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ground Covers |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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