Feature Plant Nepeta (Catmint): A Fragrant Herb with Medicinal Value and Garden Charm

Nepeta x faassenii 'Cat's Pajamas' (Dwarf Variety)

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! Today's feature perennial is Nepeta, commonly known as catmint. Nepeta is a beloved herbaceous perennial in gardens around the world, admired for its soft, aromatic foliage and spikes of violet-blue flowers. Its name often confuses it with catnip (Nepeta cataria), which belongs to the same genus and shares some characteristics, especially its appeal to felines. Nepeta leaves are typically gray-green and emit a pleasant, minty fragrance when crushed. Blooming from late spring into fall, catmint produces spikes of small, tubular flowers in shades of blue, lavender, or purple depending on the variety, and grows between 12 inches to 3 feet in height, making it ideal for borders and edging. Another attribute is that Nepeta attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Due to its strong scent, it’s often left untouched by deer and rabbits.

Nepeta (Catmint)

Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, Nepeta tolerates poor or sandy soils but dislikes heavy, soggy ground and thrives in full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. More sun typically leads to stronger flowering and a more compact form. Once established, catmint is drought-tolerant. Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to root rot. While little to no maintenance is required for this plant, regular deadheading will encourage reblooming. Cut back after the first flush of flowers to keep a more compact plant, promote new growth and extend bloom time. 

Nepeta (Catmint)

Historically, various species of Nepeta, particularly N. cataria (catnip), have been used in traditional herbal medicine. Though less well-known, catmint contains compounds that provide mild therapeutic effects. Nepetalactone, which is responsible for the intoxicating effect on cats has also been used as a mild sedative on humans. Tannins and flavonoids, known for their antioxidant properties can calm anxiety and promote restful sleep. Nepeta is often taken as a tea made from dried leaves and flowers to ease stomach cramps and nausea. It has also be used as a digestive aid to relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion. Its antispasmodic and soothing properties also make it helpful for easing symptoms of colds, coughs, and fevers and its infused oils can be used topically to treat minor skin irritations and insect bites.  Nepeta has also been used as a natural repellant to deter garden insects such as aphids and squash bugs.

Nepeta x psfike 'Little Trudy' (Dwarf Variety)

Overall, Nepeta or catmint is far more than just a pretty face in the landscape or a treat for cats. Its adaptability, easy-care, long-lasting blooms, and subtle healing properties make it a standout plant for both ornamental and herbal uses. Whether you’re lining a walkway, attracting pollinators, or brewing a calming evening tea, catmint is a quiet powerhouse that deserves a place in your garden! 

Looking for some Inspiration? Purchase My Books:

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations  

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved. 

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up May: Rainy Days and a Bounty of Blooms!

Welcome!

Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden! May is a busy month for blooms as the temperatures gradually warm up into the 70's by day, with frequent rain in the forecast, which now has us pretty much caught up from the lack of rain and drought conditions from last summer. Every day there is something new to explore in the garden, which makes May one of my favorite months for gardening and dreaming of what future blooms are in store. Join me for a tour!

Patio Border

As we pass by the patio border, new candles of growth can be seen on the Japanese Red Pine, along with the bright red new foliage on Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple. Juniper 'Gold Strike' is in the foreground and Osmanthus 'Goshiki' can be seen in the backdrop.

Perimeter Garden

In the perimeter garden, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar is joined by Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel'...

Pool Border

and on the shadier side of the pool border is Golden Sweet Flag, Sky Pencil Holly and Leucothoe 'Axillaris'. Added just last summer is a new dwarf form of Nepeta called the 'Cat's Meow'.

Pool Border-Dwarf Nepeta 'Cat's Meow'

This variety has striking, long-lasting blooms and grows to seventeen to twenty inches tall, which is a little more compact when compared to other forms of catmint.

Backyard Island Berm

Along the back island berm, Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta' is joined by Mugo Pine, Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime' and  Weigela 'My Monet', which is now blooming.

Back yard Island Berm-Weigela 'My Monet'

Weigela 'My Monet' is a dwarf  form of Weigela growing to just one in a half to two feet tall by two and half feet wide with beautiful variegated foliage and pinkish-purple trumpet-shaped blooms in spring. This plant is beautiful for both its foliage and blooms. 

Patio Border

Upright Japanese Maple Twombly's Red Sentinel is going on its third season along the patio border and is joined by Spirea 'Candy Corn' and Stachys (Lamb's Ear).

Patio Border-Spirea 'Candy Corn' and Stachys (Lamb's Ear)

Here is the Spirea and Lamb's Ear up close!

Island Berm-Heuchera 'Caramel and Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'

Here 'Caramel' Coral Bells are joined by Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'... 

Pool Border-Encore Azalea

and Encore Azalea is blooming away!

Back "Secret Garden"

If you follow along a path behind the pool, you will find what I refer to as the "secret" garden. It is hidden around the bend and is a place where Azalea are in full bloom this time of year, along with the white blooms of Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'.

Back Shade Garden-Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is a more compact form of Viburnum which displays star-like white blooms in spring followed by a rebloom in late summer. 

Back Pool Border-Shade Garden

Also around the bend in the "secret garden" is this statue of two children playing a game of piggyback.

Allium 'Globemaster'

Here is Allium 'Globemaster' along the pool border, which will be in full bloom by June with flowers up to five inches in diameter...

Pool Border-Cherry Laurel 'Otto Luyken'

while Cherry Laurel 'Otto Luyken' produces its spring blooms.

Shade Garden-Jacob's Ladder ‘Golden Feathers’

In the shade border on the northwestern side of the property is Jacob’s Ladder ‘Golden Feathers’ with its golden variegated foliage and lavender blooms. I am enjoying this new addition from last summer.

Shade Garden-Pulmonaria 'Leopard'

Along with Jacob’s Ladder is Pulmonaria (Lungwort) with its leaves speckled in while and bluish-purple blooms that appear during the end of April and through the month of May.

Hellebore 'Champion'

Even the Hellebores are still chiming in. Although their peak time is over, their colorful bracts still add a touch to a shady spot beneath the Weeping White Pine. 

Front Main Lawn

As we approach the end of our tour for this month, here is a view of the front lawn with Weeping Japanese Maple ‘Viridis’ and Blue Atlas Cedar in the background…

Driveway Border

with Coral Bark Maple with Boxwood and Hinoki Cypress along the driveway border. 

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my May garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and enjoy seeing what you have growing in your garden. Special thanks go out to our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who makes it possible to see blooms on the 15th of every month with her meme Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Also, special thanks to Pam Penick at Digging who had hosted Foliage Follow-Up, a meme I will continue to honor. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday, Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden. 

IN THE NEWS! Celebrating four months since The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants came to be! If you are into houseplants, this may be the book for you! I cover over 120 plant selections with full color photographs of each one and detailed descriptions on care and maintenance.

Other Places to Find Me:

You can visit my Author Page to learn about and Purchase My Books, each one focusing on different aspects of gardening, including landscape ideas, design principles, gardening by month for all-season interest, gardening tips and maintenance, shade gardening, gardening inspiration and more. And also be sure to check out my newest publication, The Houseplant Guide, to guide you on your houseplant journey!

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Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved. 

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June 2018: Blooms Galore!

June 2018 Garden

Welcome to my June garden! It's so nice that you stopped by for a visit. The month of June has been glorious with clear skies for the most part, temperatures in the 70's and lots of blooms everywhere. Tomorrow, my gardens will be on the local garden tour as one of six private gardens on display to be visited by the public. I am so very excited and have been prepping away getting ready! Come along on a tour of my spring garden. There will be a posting about tomorrow's event to follow.

Welcome to my Garden!

This is the welcome sign that was given to me as a gift the last time my garden was on the tour, back eight years ago. I treasure it and keep it inside on a wall in our home. It was painted by one of our local artists.

Perennial Border

Let's start at the perennial border, which is in full swing this time of year. There are Itoh Bartzella Peony, Salvia 'May Night' and Lamb's Ear along with hosta, astilbe and lillies. You can view a close up of the white soft foliage of the Stachys (Lamb's Ear) and start of the buds for pink blooms to follow. The Peony and purple Salvia 'May NIght' are also at their height.

Peony Itoh Bartzella

The blooms of Peony 'Bartzella' span five to six inches in diameter. I only wish they would stay around longer, as I cannot get enough of their magnificent beauty.

Patio Area and Garden

Walk through the path from the perennial border to the patio area. From here you can get a glimpse of the Double Red Knock Out Roses and Nepeta 'Walkers Low' in the north garden bed.

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

On the other side of the patio is Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' displaying its blooms. I find 'Radrazz to be one of the best performing roses I have.

Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld' and Salvia 'May Night'

In the western perennial border is Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld' and Salvia 'May Night' in bloom. Gold Mop Cypress can be seen to the right. 

Pink Double Knock Out Rose 

Here is a glimpse of the Pink Double Knock Out Roses as we stroll around to the left of the patio area.

Pool Garden

One of my favorite spring blooming bulbs is Allium 'Globemaster'. I was always in awe every time I saw these blooms advertised with a small child standing next them to emphasize their size. Of course,I had to get some for myself, which I did three years ago. As we head towards the pool garden, you can see them immediately. They are planted among Daylilies.

Pool Garden Side View

Here is the pool area close up with Weeping Japanese Maple in the right cut out.

Allium Globemaster

Did you think we would go on without a close up of the Allium? The original three bulbs have matured to fourteen all together, and I say the more...the merrier!

Back Evergreen and Perennial Garden

Come along as we continue. Here is the southern side of the pool area with a more casual feel. The Nepeta 'Walkers Low' with its bluish-purple blooms thrives here. On the left is Heuchera 'Caramel', which does well with the partial shade cast by the fence. In the corner is my new Kwanzan Cherry tree, which you saw blooming during last month's Bloom Day.

Back Foliage Combo

One of my favorite foliage combinations is that of Sedum 'Brilliant' (front) and Heuchera 'Caramel' (center). Back those up with the blooms of Salvia 'May Night', and you get the perfect trio!

Playtime

Here is the newest addition to the garden. On a ride one Sunday afternoon, my husband and I saw this sweet statue at a garden center and I had to have it! It is such a wonderful reminder of childhood and innocence.

Back South Pool Garden

In the south pool area is a garden helper, tucked away among spirea and coral bells. You can get a glimpse of him just as you come around the corner.

Back North Garden

As we circle back around to the northwestern area of the property, Cornus Kousa 'Greensleeves' (Japanese Dogwood) is in bloom for the month of June. Surrounding the Dogwood are 'Patriot' Hosta.

Japanese Dogwood Cornus Kousa 'Greensleeves'

Here are the blooms of the 'Greensleeves' Dogwood up close. I like how this variety has a slightly greenish tinge to its flowers. It also has a long bloom period of about a month and produces abundant red fruits during the autumn months.

Front Driveway Entrance Garden East Side

Now that you have seen the back of the property, let's venture up to the front. At the foot of the driveway is the Golden Oriental 'Skylands' Spruce, which I planted in memory of my mom back in 2008. The once six foot tree has matured to approximately fifteen feet with a striking contrast of newer bright yellow foliage against the mature green undersides. Pinkish-purple seed cones form later in the summer for additional interest.

Front Driveway Garden West Side

On the other side of the driveway is Weeping Norway Spruce, Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Japanese Garden Juniper, Spirea 'Magic Carpet', Salvia 'Caradonna' and Variegated Iris.

Foliage Combination West Driveway

Here is the combination of the juniper, spirea and salvia close up.

Front Entrance Garden

Along the front of the property is an assortment of Japanese Garden Juniper, Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel' and Sweet Flag along with Gold Spot Euonymus, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Weeping White Pine and Weeping 'Youngii' Birch. 

Front Walkway Garden

Let's walk along this way. You can view the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar straight ahead.

Front Lawn Area

On the front lawn are upright Blue Atlas Cedar (left) and Weeping Japanese Maple (right).

Front Northern Garden Island

As we stroll around the island bed, you can get a glimpse of the Blue Atlas Cedar close up with its under-planting of Gold Lace Juniper and Heuchera ('Palace Purple' and 'Caramel') To get some perspective, in the distance is the garden area we just passed towards the front southern side of the property with the golden 'Skylands' Spruce in the distance.

Peony 'Bartzella' Last Glance

Back around to the perennial garden, here is one last view of the Itoh Peony 'Bartzella'.

June 2018 Garden

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed my June garden. Special thanks go out to our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who makes it possible to see blooms on the 15th of every month with her meme Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Also, special thanks to Pam Penick at Digging who has hosted Foliage Follow-Up for all these years, a meme I will still continue to honor. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, Macro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods. Also check out Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day at Creating my own garden of the Hesperides, Wednesday Around the World, Dishing It & Digging It and Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday.

In the news: I am honored to now be in the Top 100 Websites for Gardeners in 2018 and will be a participant on the Sayville Garden Tour on June 16th (tomorrow!) More to follow!

Sharing my lifetime passion with my two books: (Available on Amazon!)

 A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9
Landscape Design Combinations

~As Always...Happy Gardening!~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.