Catmints for the Northwest

These tough, long-blooming perennials love our dry, hot summers and lean soil

I really revel it when mid to late summer rolls around in the Pacific Northwest . We transition from the typical “ Juneuary ” weather of cooler temperatures and rain to summer ’s sunshine and heat . There are so many plants that start to flower and delight us once this heat hits . I like to use several very baffling catmint ( Nepetaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) in my garden and my clients ’ gardens . They grow beautiful and colorful flowers as well as astonishing scent in summertime . As a bonus , these works attract many terrific and beneficial dirt ball to the garden .

Stick to standards for repeat divisions and sprawling habits

Most everyone knows ofNepeta×faassenii(Zones 3–8 ) with its piano grizzly fuzzy leaves and nonstop efflorescence . This is a lovely unfertile loanblend catmint ofN. racemosaandN. nepetellaand will therefore not seed around your garden . However , it does travel a bit with its stoloniferous theme , which can be divided for further use or given off to friends . These perennial catmints are adorable , long - blooming and wonderfully perfumed . They make great addition to tract and border edges , specially in places where they release their lovely mint scent when brushed . N.×faasseniiare loose , blousy plants , so check that to give them some room , as even the smaller varieties like ‘ Walker ’s Low ’ can reach 2 to 3 human foot grandiloquent and 1 to 1.5 groundwork wide-cut quickly in one season . This hybrid does require maintenance to keep it look good all season long , with either a Inner Light clipping back of the spent flowers or a sweeping cutback to keep the size of it in check .

Look for a smaller alternative with upright stems for a sharper look

If space is a premium or you are need to essay something new , I have also been using another excellent catmint , N. tuberosa(Zones 7–10 ) . I extremely recommend this not bad flora , which has a completely different habit fromN.×faassenii . This plant life is slow to begin , but watch over out when it gets going . N. tuberosais a more drought - immune plant life thanN.×faasseniiand grows a tuberous root organisation , as the name implies . It can therefore handle our dry Northwest summers . It grow long flower spikes that are 1.5 to 2 feet tall . They are also very upright and will not founder over other industrial plant in your garden beds . N. tuberosaworks great in smaller pathways or intermingled with modest grasses and bulbs in meadowscaping schemes .

Lesser catmints provide smaller habits with white flowers

If you are looking for a white - flowered version of catmint , seek out less catmint ( Calamintha nepetasubsp.nepetaand cvs . , Zones 5–9).Calaminthais a closely related genus toNepeta , both of which are in the mint menage . These plants like the same conditions : teetotal , thin soil with first-class drainage . less catmints are also brilliant louse - attract industrial plant . They blossom for a long meter but are shorter in height and less prostrate to sprawling receptive like most catnip . They typically grow 12 to 18 in high and wide .

I really savor experiment with new and different flora in my garden and date what endure in various weather condition . I hope catmints and lesser catmint give you some great horticulture and intent ideas for plants that can plow summer weather here in the Pacific Northwest .

— Jason Jorgensen is a landscape designer in Seattle .

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Walkers Low catmint

‘Walker’s Low’ catmint responds to dry heat with a profusion of bright blue blooms all summer long.Photo: Jennfier Benner

N x faassenni

‘Walker’s Low’ may be the most commonly known cultivar ofN. × faassenii, beloved for its signature scent and nonstop blooming.Photo: Jennifer Benner

N tuberosa