Nepeta faassenii - Catnip

Nepeta x fassenii is an undemanding hardy perennial, with endless flowers from May to October as long as its faded flowers are pruned in summer and the soil is not too dry. It produces slender floral stems covered in small blue-violet flowers and emerging from a cushion of small silver-green leaves. A gift for difficult and poor soils, this nepeta will grow in any well-drained soil. It is suitable for all styles of gardens and combines perfectly with old or English roses.

Nepeta x faassenii, the plant that cats love, is a perennial belonging to the Lamiaceae family, resulting from the cross-breeding of N. racemosa and N. nepetella, native to central and southern Europe. This horticultural creation has given rise to many interesting varieties for gardens. It is a bushy and branched perennial, with a compact and spreading habit, forming a beautiful clump 35-40 cm (14-16in) in flower, occupying 40-50 cm (16-20in) of ground. The foliage is deciduous to semi-evergreen. In spring, it forms a cushion of with small velvety silver-green leaves, which release a curious scent when crushed. It blooms from June (sometimes earlier in favourable climates) to October, with a short resting period in summer drought. It is covered with many long and flexible spikes adorned with tiny blue-violet flowers and purple velvety bracts which are loved by pollinators. If faded flowers are removed, it regrows with fresh, dense foliage flowers.

Beautiful foliage, generous flowering, and a compact habit make Nepeta x fassenii an essential plant for any garden or flower pot, even in dry conditions. It is stunning in rockeries or on walls, where it covers them with silvery foliage and a carpet of violet flowers, just like aubrietas or wall bellflowers. It appreciates moist soils but can adapt to summer drought by reducing its flowering. Its uses are versatile, to border a path or walkway, to fill the base of bush roses, or in wild-looking borders alongside Sanguisorba menziesii, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Gaura lindheimeri, and Sedum 'Matrona', or in a mixed border to contrast with the yellow blooms of Achillea 'Terracotta', Alchemilla mollis, and Euphorbia characias. It can also be planted in beautiful flower pots on the terrace or balcony.