I said Catmint, Not Catnip
If you are expecting to read an article about a plant that drives your cat wild then I’m sorry but you’re reading the wrong article. If you want to read an article about a plant that is as tough as nails and flourishes in some of the most challenging garden conditions then this is the article for you! If your garden has areas that are very dry, get sun all day long and maybe the soil is less than perfect than catmint may be just the plant you are looking for.
Catmint seems to thrive in conditions that most other plants can’t tolerate including flower beds next to hot sidewalks and driveways. It’s heat and drought tolerance also make it a popular choice for planting underneath roses; a plant that you want to avoid watering to prevent diseases. I’ve even grown catmint in containers on a deck with a southern exposure and possibly the hottest conditions in my entire garden.
Catmint is a perennial flower which means it comes back year after year. Flowers come in shades of blue, purple, pink and white sitting on top of foliage with a greenish gray shade to it. When you rub up against the foliage there is pleasant fragrance released which as you might expect smells like mint. It is hardy in USDA garden zones 3 through 9 and once it is established it is amongst the easiest plants to grow. It typically grows 6 to 12 inches tall, although there are varieties available that can grow up to 48 inches tall. Its low growing habit makes it very useful as an edging plant in flower beds and rock gardens. It is also virtually pest and disease free but it attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds galore.
Unlike many perennials which flower for a few weeks during the growing season catmint can start blooming in May and bloom all through the summer and into the fall if you handle it properly. After the first round of blooms start to fade it is time to ruthlessly cut the plant back (Did I mention this plant is tough?) and 4 to 5 weeks later it will bloom all over again. Of course, you have the pretty foliage to enjoy while you wait for the next round of blooms. You can also cut the flowers off after they finish blooming, a task known as deadheading, to help prolong their blooming period as well.
So, while catmint probably won’t drive your cat crazy if you try it I bet you’ll be crazy about it!
