Nepeta faassenii 'Cat's Meow' – 'Cat's Meow' Catmint

'Cat's Meow' Nepeta is a remarkable improvement on traditional catmints, offering a perfect solution for gardeners seeking worry-free performance. Its most impressive feature is its perfectly rounded, dense mound that never flops open in the center, even after a heavy rain. It combines this impeccable structure with a cloud of lavender-blue flowers that lasts all summer, all with bewilderingly simple care.

Characteristics

• Foliage: It develops a dense mound of small, deciduous leaves that are a lovely grey-green and very aromatic when crushed.
• Flowering: From late spring through summer, the plant covers itself in a profusion of spikes of small, lavender-blue flowers. A mid-season shearing encourages a new wave of flowers that extends into the fall.
• Light: It demands full sun for abundant flowering and a dense, compact habit.
• Habit: It forms a very uniform, rounded cushion or mound that remains impeccable all season.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height of 45 to 50 cm (17-20 inches) with a spread of 60 to 90 cm (24-36 inches).
• Moisture: It prefers rather dry soil conditions.
• Soil: It thrives in average, very well-drained soil. It does not tolerate heavy, constantly wet soils.
• Hardiness: Extremely hardy, it faces Zone 3 winters without any problem.
• Resistance: This is a very robust plant that admirably resists White-tailed deer, rabbits, drought, and heat.

Uses

• Types of Use: Its neat shape and long bloom time make it an excellent choice for the front of borders, along pathways, or in mass plantings. It is also perfect for rock gardens.
• Ornamental Features: Its cloud of blue flowers creates a soft, airy effect for months, pairing wonderfully with almost all other flower colours. Its grey-green foliage offers a beautiful texture.

Care

• Watering: Water upon planting. Once established, it tolerates drought very well and only requires occasional watering during prolonged periods of high heat.
• Fertilizing: It generally does not require any fertilizer to perform well.
• Pruning: After the first major wave of flowering (around mid-July), shear the entire plant by half. This simple, quick operation encourages the growth of fresh new foliage and a second abundant bloom until fall.
• Planting: Plant it in the spring or fall in a very sunny location with excellent drainage.
• Winter Protection: No protection is required for this very hardy perennial.