Species N. × faassenii Rank Hybrid | Scientific name Nepeta faassenii | |
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Similar Catmints, Nepeta racemosa, Salvia nemorosa, Dracocephalum sibiricum, Alchemilla mollis | ||
Nepeta × faassenii, a flowering plant also known as catmint and Faassen's catnip, is a primary hybrid of garden origin. The parent species are Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella.
It is an herbaceous perennial, with oval, opposite, intricately veined, gray—green leaves, on square stems. The foliage is fragrant. It grows from 1–2 feet (30–61 cm) tall by 1–3 feet (30–91 cm) wide.
The plant produces small but showy, abundant, two-lipped, trumpet-shaped, soft lavender flowers, from spring through autumn. Continued blooming is encouraged by deadheading spent flowers. The seeds are predominantly sterile, and so the plant will not reseed as an invasive species, unlike some other nepeta species.
Cultivation
Nepeta × faassenii is cultivated for its attractive aromatic foliage and masses of blue flowers, as groundcover, border edging, or in pots or rock gardens. It is drought tolerant, and can be deer resistant. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It was first cultivated by Faassen Nurseries in Tegelen and named by Bergmans
Numerous cultivars are available in the trade.
