Nepeta parnassica

Nepeta parnassica, the Greek catmint or Parnassus catmint, forms an airy bush that will outshine its famous cousin, the 'Six Hills Giant' catnip, in the garden. The strong stems of this species bear beautiful aromatic green-grey foliage. Its lovely growth is topped all summer with long clusters filled with small blue-violet flowers with a purple calyx. It is the largest of the perennial catmints and an easy and undemanding plant to try anywhere. Majestic in large borders, flower beds, with your most beautiful roses...

The Nepeta parnassica belongs, like all catmints, to the Lamiaceae family. This species, recently introduced in horticulture, is native to Greece and Albania. Resistant to summer drought, its rootstock also endures very cold winters. It is a perennial plant that forms a dense and bushy clump from spring, reaching a height of 1.80 m in bloom or even more in rich soil. Its rootstock occupies a minimum of 60 cm of ground, and the plant spreads rapidly through its rhizomes. The flowering period extends from May to June to October, repeating in successive waves. The flowers, grouped in long spikes at the end of the stems, are bilabiate corollas of a bright blue-violet. They are enclosed at the base in purple bracts. Very melliferous, the flowers attract a large number of bees and butterflies. The foliage is slightly greyish-green, and the leaves are remarkably aromatic when crushed. They are triangular, have scalloped edges, and are 4 to 10 cm long. The stems dry in winter, and the vegetation vigorously regrows from the rootstock in spring. Nepeta parnassica is likely to spread in the garden through self-sowing if the conditions suit it.

Easy to grow in any well-drained soil, Nepeta parnassica prefers a sunny position in the north or a slightly shaded one in the afternoon in our very hot regions. It tolerates dry, relatively poor, and rocky soils. It can be planted on a large border or in perennials or shrubs. Combine it with large roses for a romantic atmosphere or with red, blue, or yellow shrub salvias for a contrasting touch. It also pairs very well with dry soil grasses and the autumn foliage of cotinus or deciduous euonymus.

Catnip is said to act as a sort of drug on some cats. They would start by looking up and moving their heads before rubbing against the plant for several minutes. The pleasurable reaction no longer occurs after 15 minutes and lasts two hours. But don't worry, it remains harmless to them.