Nepeta racemosa Snowflake - Catnip

Nepeta racemosa 'Snowflake', also known as catmint, forms a low and branching bushy shrub with small, aromatic, ovate, silver-green leaves with pure white flowers for four months throughout summer. It is a spreading, deciduous to semi-evergreen, drought-resistant perennial which can be used in a similar way to lavender as a border plant, in rockeries or large containers. Suitable for well-drained soil and sunny exposure. This nepeta is of a size between 'Six Hills Giant' and 'Little Titch'.

Nepeta racemosa Snowflake belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is a selection of Nepeta racemosa, native to the Caucasus and northern Iran. Very similar in appearance to 'Six Hills Giant' with pure white whorls of flowers. This perennial quickly forms a dense and bushy, spreading clump 30 cm (12in) high with a minimum spread of 50 cm (20in). It will bloom from June to September with white flowers 3 cm (1in) long, grouped in spikes. The nectar-rich flowers attract a large number of bees and butterflies. The leaves are velvety, silver-green, and highly aromatic when crushed, slightly hairy with a scalloped edge and 2 to 3 cm (1in) long. It is one of the most adaptable and drought-tolerant species. Cats are attracted to its leaves.

Nepeta racemosa Snowflake is a remarkable, easy to grow plant which will look good at the base of yellow roses like 'Buff Beauty' or rose-orange roses like 'Westerland', hiding their sometimes unsightly base. In borders, it can be planted in the front row with stachys, valerian, Knautia macedonia, carnations (Dianthus gratianopolitanus), perennial geraniums (Geranium cinereum, Geranium sanguineum) or plants that flower together: Canon Went's toadflax, Buenos Aires verbena, gauras. It also works well as a ground cover on slopes and in rockeries, with scabiosa, scutellaria, and Santolina virens. It looks beautiful above low walls, where it forms a cloudy vegetation and can also be grown in pots.

Fun fact: Catmint is said to act as a sort of drug on some cats. They rub against the plant for up to 15 minutes making them happy for up to 2 hours. But don't worry, it will not harm them.