Purrsian Blue Catmint

Purrsian Blue Catmint

Dubious puns aside, clump-forming perennial Purrsian Blue is a bit of a game changer in the catmint world. While the older varieties can get a it leggy with age, Purrsian Blue grows to just 50cm tall. 

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In its first year, catmint forms a rounded clump, densely covered in small, ovate leaves (this is where the mint of catmint comes from), which are highly aromatic and loved by cats. The second year of growth sees it spreading out to a width of around 80-90cm.

The flower spikes are densely packed in periwinkle-blue lipped blooms, deep purple at the base. These heavenly flowers will brighten up your garden from early summer to the end of August, and will bring in all kinds of bees and butterflies.

In the garden

This Nepeta is perfect for the front of a cottage garden border, in a sunny gravel garden or either side of a path, where each time you brush past, the aromatic fragrance of its foliage will be released. Give it a spot in full sun or light shade. Once established, it is both drought and deer resistant. It won't need staking, but benefits from a trim after flowering, which is often rewarded with a second flush of blooms in autumn.

A popular companion for catmint is the rose. Underplant pale pink shrub roses with Purrsian Blue for a heavenly scene. Or combine with lavender, dark purple salvia nemorosa, silver eryngiums, soft-to-the-touch stachys, a froth of pink and white fleabane... the possibilities are endless. In a pot or window box, try it with French lavender and rich red pelargoniums, or plant with trailing silver-leaved helichrysums.

Features

• Colour: lavender blue
• Flowering: Jun-Aug
• Foliage: mid-green oval leaves, aromatic
• Height: 45cm
• Spread: 90cm
• Spacing: 80cm
• Position: sun or part shade
• Soil: moist but well-drained

Fun fact

Breeders of catmint just can't help themselves when it comes to following feline naming conventions. The RHS Plant Finder lists 226 different varieties of nepeta, among them Kit-Kat, Pink Cat, Pink Panther, Felix, Snow Cat, Wild Cat, Cool Cat, Purple Cat and Super Cat. But Purrsian Blue is our favourite, Cats Meow.

Dig in some garden compost or leaf mould when planting, in sun or light shade, in borders or pots. Space 70-80cm apart and water in well. Keep watered until established. Prune after flowering to encourage a second flush of blooms.