Nepeta: A Long-Blooming Pollinator Magnet

There are showy plants, and then there are the ones that quietly hold the whole garden together. Nepeta is one of those.

Also known as catmint, Nepeta is a hardy, aromatic perennial that blooms for months, softens edges, and hums (literally) with bee and butterfly traffic. It weaves through borders like a breeze, fills gaps, and asks for almost nothing in return. If you love gardens that feel generous, grounded, and full of life, you’ll love Nepeta.

Let’s dig into why this perennial is a must-have—and which cultivars deserve a spot in your sunny beds.

💜 Why We Love Nepeta

• Blooms for months—typically May through September with light deadheading

• Pollinator heaven—bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds can’t resist

• Drought-tolerant—once established, it’s practically unbothered

• Deer- and rabbit-resistant—strong scent, soft texture = no thanks, nibblers

• Perfect filler—soft, mounding growth blends beautifully with bolder plants

• Fragrant—leaves release a clean, herbal scent that even humans appreciate

🌿 Top Nepeta Varieties to Grow 

Nepeta ‘Junior Walker’

Bloom time: Late spring to early fall

This compact selection offers all the soft sprawl of classic Nepeta but in a tidier form. A brilliant choice for edging or tucking into containers.

🌿 Height: ~12–18"
🌤️ Light: Full sun
🎨 Why we love it: It stays where you put it—and blooms like it’s trying to win something.

Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’

Bloom time: Very early to late summer

This early bloomer is shorter and neater than many catmints, with a profusion of indigo-blue flowers that emerge from dark calyxes—giving the plant colour even when not fully in bloom.

🌿 Height: ~12–14"
🌤️ Light: Full sun
🎨 Great for: Tight spaces, container gardens, or mass plantings at the front of the border.

Nepeta ‘Chartreuse on the Loose’

Bloom time: Late spring through fall

Here’s a twist: striking chartreuse foliage that glows in the garden. The foliage alone turns heads, but the lavender-blue flowers seal the deal. A fabulous contrast plant.

🌿 Height: ~16–20"
🌤️ Light: Full sun to light shade
🎨 Pair with: Purple-leaved Heuchera, or echo with Salvia ‘Caradonna’ for bold contrast.

Nepeta ‘Picture Purrfect’

Bloom time: Late spring to early fall

A tidy, low-growing variety with showy blooms and an extra-compact habit. Ideal for edging, rock gardens, and pollinator patches.

🌿 Height: ~10–12"
🌤️ Light: Full sun
🎨 Best for: Gardeners who love clean lines and full flower power.

Nepeta ‘Kitten Around’

Bloom time: Spring through summer

Don’t let the name fool you—this cutie is a serious bloomer. Densely mounded with smaller leaves and big impact in bloom. Bees adore it.

🌿 Height: ~12"
🌤️ Light: Full sun
🎨 Design tip: Plant in drifts along pathways or in repetition to soften hardscaping.

✂️ Care Tips for Happy Nepeta

• Soil: Well-drained; tolerates poor soils beautifully

• Water: Moderate during establishment, drought-tolerant afterward

• Maintenance: Shear back by half after the first bloom flush to encourage rebloom

• Spacing: Leave room for air circulation—catmint doesn’t like soggy feet

• Divide: Every few years if clumps get woody in the centre

🌼 Pairing Ideas: What Plays Well with Nepeta?

• With structure: Echinacea, Achillea, Perovskia

• With contrast: Dark-leaved Heuchera, Iris, or golden Coreopsis

• For softness: Geranium ‘Rozanne’, Amsonia, or grasses like Panicum ‘Shenandoah’

Final Thoughts: Plant It Once, Enjoy It for Years

Nepeta is one of those perennials that slips into your garden quietly… and before long, you’re planting more. It’s easy, dependable, and generous—qualities that, in life and in gardening, are always worth cultivating.

So if you’re looking for a plant that asks for little but gives a lot, pick a catmint. Or two. Or a small drift. The pollinators will thank you. Your vases will thank you. You will thank you.