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Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low' | Catmint
(Pronounced ne-PEE-tuh or NEP-eh-tuh) (Latin word "nepeta" for an aromatic plant)
(Pronounced fah-SEN-ee-eye)
The names of hybrids are written with a multiplication sign (an x shape) between the two plant names utilized.
The family is Lamiaceae, the mint family. (Pronounced lay-mee-AY-see-eye).
This catmint has periwinkle-blue flower spikes and is fragrant. It growth rate is fast. It makes great cut flower and the spent flowers should be deadheaded to encourage new flowers. This catmint is not so much a show-stopper, but rather a pleasant texture in the garden. It reaches about 2 feet tall which is a nice size. It spreads about two to three feet.
I have always avoided buying catnip because we have neighbor's cats that roam the neighborhood and are often caught on my security cameras at night walking right in front of my house and under my vehicle. I am a dog person and not so much a cat person. I am enjoying this "catmint" and wanted to learn if it was the same as "catnip."
I learned that cantip is Nepeta cateria (it has "cat" in the name!) and although the words are often used interchangeably, they are actually different in that catmint is not as enticing or attractive to cats, so I am glad for that! I am hopeful that the neighbor cats are not those that like it just as much. Since it is in the fenced back yard and the cats have not gone there yet, I am hoping they will never find it. Catmint is better for its ornamental or showy flowers than catnip.
I studied some more to learn why cats like catnip or catmint, and learned that cats have an extra scent organ called the vomeronasal gland in the roof of their mouth. Nepetalactone is the oil that is found within the catnip leaves that can cause behavioral changes in cats.
It seems Catmint is a much better choice because in some places Catnip is considered an invasive species.
This is the Catnip tag which was planted in 2022.
The below photos were taken in 2023.
These photos make me laugh because this bee has got its whole face down inside the tiny flower. Now if I drank my milk like that, I'd have a milk-stash for sure! Look at house it is hugging the flower tightly.
