Nepeta × faassenii 'Kit Kat' catmint
A domestic cat sleeping in a catmint plant

Nepeta × faassenii, a flowering plant also known as catmint[1] and Faassen's catnip, is a primary hybrid of garden origin. The parent species are Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella.

It is an herbaceous perennial, with oval, opposite, intricately veined, gray—green leaves, on square stems. The foliage is fragrant. It grows from 1–2 feet (30–61 cm) tall by 1–3 feet (30–91 cm) wide.[2]

The plant produces small but showy, abundant, two-lipped, trumpet-shaped, soft lavender flowers, from spring through autumn. Continued blooming is encouraged by deadheading.[2] The seeds are predominantly sterile, and so the plant will not reseed as an invasive species, unlike some other nepeta species.[3]

Cultivation

Nepeta × faassenii is cultivated for its attractive aromatic foliage and masses of blue flowers,[4] as groundcover, border edging, or in pots or rock gardens. It is drought tolerant, and can be deer resistant. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5] It was first cultivated by Faassen Nurseries in Tegelen, Netherlands, and named by Bergmans.

Cultivars

Numerous cultivars are available in the trade.

  • 'Walker's Low' — silver grey foliage, lavender blue flowers, 2–2.5 feet (61–76 cm) tall by 2.5–3 feet (76–91 cm) wide, 2007 "Perennial of the Year" (by Perennial Plant Association).[6][7][8]
  • 'Jr. Walker' TM —PP 23,074,[9] compact induced mutant of Walker low, small silver grey foliage, small lavender blue flowers, 1–1.5 feet (30–46 cm) tall by 2.5–3 feet (76–91 cm) wide, 2013 "Top Performer" (by Colorado State University Perennial Trial Garden).[10] Bred by Michael Dobres NovaFlora LLC, introduced by Star Roses & Plants [11]
  • 'Blue Wonder' — blue flowers, "Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit".[3]
  • 'Select Blue' — noticeably bluer flowers, 15–18 inches (38–46 cm) wide.[3]
  • 'Six Hills Giant' — periwinkle blue flowers, 2–3 feet (61–91 cm) tall.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Nepeta ×faassenii". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b Missouri Botanical Garden: Nepeta × faassenii . accessed 1.10.2013
  3. ^ a b c High Country Gardens: Nepeta × faassenii 'Select Blue' . accessed 1.10.2013
  4. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  5. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Nepeta x faassenii". Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  6. ^ Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low' . accessed 1.10.2013
  7. ^ Missouri Botanical Garden: Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low' . accessed 1.102013
  8. ^ "Mississippi State University Extension Service |".
  9. ^ "Nepeta plant named 'Novanepjun'".
  10. ^ "Annual Flower Trial Garden at Colorado State University | 2013 "Top Performer" Perennial". www.flowertrials.colostate.edu. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02.
  11. ^ "Nepeta Junior Walker™ | Star® Roses and Plants". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01.
  12. ^ Walters Gardens: Nepeta × faassenii 'Six Hills Giant' . 1.10.2013

External links