Nepeta 'Chartreuse on the Loose'

Nepeta 'Chartreuse on the Loose': Gold Leaves Doing the Heavy Lifting

'Chartreuse on the Loose' busted out of the plant pen in neon yellow-green foliage and has no plans to come back. Lavender-blue flowers on top, just to rub it in. THIS CATMINT IS AT LARGE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Nepeta hybrid
• Common Name: Catmint
• Series: A Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)
• Spread: 50–60 cm (20–24 in)
• Flowers: Lavender-blue clusters held just above the leaves, with rosy purple calyxes
• Bloom Time: Early summer to early fall (June to September)
• Foliage: Bright chartreuse-yellow and fragrant, colourful from spring to fall
• Features: Rabbit resistant, reblooms without shearing

Where to Plant: Use it as a bright edging along paths and patios, at the front of a sunny border, in a container or as a low, spreading filler between larger plants. The gold leaves light up dark-leaved neighbours and carry the show even when it's not in flower.

Companion Plants: Use the gold leaves of 'Chartreuse on the Loose' at the front of a sunny, dry bed with coral, white and pink. Coreopsis 'American Dream' adds light pink daisies at 30 to 40 cm from June to September. Salvia 'White Profusion' brings white spikes at 41 to 51 cm from June to August. Echinacea Sombrero Poco™ Hot Coral adds coral coneflowers at 61 to 66 cm from July to September. Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' arches behind at 90 to 100 cm with rosy plumes.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun, in average to lean, well-drained soil. Avoid heavy, wet soil. Water through the first season, then only in long dry spells. It keeps flowering on its own, so no mid-summer shearing is needed. If it gets untidy, a light trim after the first flush will refresh it. A quick shear in spring keeps it compact. Cut old stems back in late fall or early spring.

History: 'Chartreuse on the Loose' was bred by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Michigan from a 2016 cross between two of the company's own unreleased catmint hybrids. It won a National Garden Bureau Green Thumb Award in 2024 and is sold through Proven Winners®.

Final Thoughts: It reblooms without shearing and the leaves stay bright all season. Plant it next to purple foliage and enjoy the clash. CALL OFF THE SEARCH PARTY.