Nepeta transcaucasica Blue Infinity - seeds

Nepeta transcaucasica Blue Infinity, which belongs to the family of catmints, is a particularly perennial and reliable plant, unquestionably underused in our gardens. This plant has a beautiful stature, is honey-scented and aromatic with an endless summer to autumn flowering in the form of long spikes of bright blue-violet and requires nothing more than sunlight. It is hardy and tolerant of poor and rocky soils, it will never disappoint in properly drained soil. Plant it in borders, rockeries and flower pots, in a wild or even romantic garden, alongside your favourite asters or roses.

Nepeta transcaucasica is a rhizomatous perennial plant native to the Caucasus. It can be found in dry, stony and gravelly slopes or among medium mountain rocks, up to the subalpine zone. Like other catmints, it is a highly aromatic plant of the mint family containing essential oils responsible for its fragrance. 'Blue Infinity' has been selected for its abundance and duration of flowering, which can last from June to October. The plant will generally flower in the second year after sowing. It forms a compact bush measuring 35-40 cm (14-16in) in all directions. From June to October, leafy floral stems rise to a height of 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35in), with a quadrangular section and covered in down. At the top, long spikes appear, with clusters of small two-lipped flowers in a bright blue-violet, nestled in dark violet bracts. They are nectar-rich and attract many pollinating insects. The more or less evergreen foliage of this plant is composed of very small wrinkled, dark green leaves, rich in essential oils. When crushed, they release hints of lemon and geranium aromas, or even sweet and spicy notes. The flowers are followed by black or brown ribbed fruits, which release numerous small seeds. They will easily germinate in light soil.

The fragrance of its foliage, the incredible generosity of its flowering, and its generous habit make Nepeta 'Blue Infinity' an essential plant for dry areas of the garden and sunny borders. This plant is also very easy to grow in flower pots to liven up the terrace or balcony until the first frost. Like many catmints, it looks stunning in rockeries or on walls, which it covers with a sea of blue flowers, just like aubrietas or wall bellflowers. Nepeta transcaucasica is a remarkable, easy to grow plant, equally as at home in the mountains as by the sea, which will also fit well in flower beds or at the base of roses. The intense blue-violet colour of its flowers pairs beautifully with pink, white, red, or even orange and yellow blooms. It's difficult not to find a place for this fantastic perennial that will live for many years. In a dry garden, grow it with yellow Jerusalem sages, ballotas, or red or fuchsia shrubby salvias.