Natural England

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Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2008. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

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Catmint - Nepeta x faassenii

Catmint - Nepeta x faasseniiCatmint - Nepeta x faassenii
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

The small, tubular, purple flowers of this variety of cat-mint or 'catnip' are held in loose terminal spikes. This is an attractive bushy plant with mounds of small narrow oval greyish aromatic leaves.

An herbaceous perennial, catmint is often found in a cottage garden planting. Cover young plants to protect them from cats, which may want to lie on the plant, but sit back and watch the vast number of bees which will home in on the flowers. As an added bonus, this plant has a very long flowering season and is easy to divide in autumn to create new plants.

Almost any other variety of catmint will also attract bees.

Animals

Bees and wasps

FoliageSilver
FlowerPurple, May to September
MoistureAverage (Average)
SunlightFull sun (Full sun)
OriginNon-native