Catmintnon-native

Field guide

'Blue Wonder' is a compact catmint, 12–18 in. tall, forming a spreading mound of aromatic gray-green foliage topped with lavender-blue flower spikes from late spring. A sterile Faassen's-type hybrid, it does not self-sow and reblooms readily when sheared. It thrives in full sun and dry to medium, well-drained soil, is highly drought-, deer- and rabbit-resistant, and draws abundant bees and butterflies, though as a non-native it offers no larval host value.

Gardener's notes

Catmint is nearly foolproof in hot, dry, sunny spots—just keep it out of wet soil. The trick to an all-summer show is to shear your plants back by half right after the first flush fades; they rebound and rebloom. Bees adore it; deer and rabbits leave it alone.

Ecology

• Pollinators: bees, butterflies, some hummingbird/moth

Care this season

• Pruning: shear by half after the first bloom for a strong rebloom (classic best practice)
• Deadheading: sterile—not needed to prevent self-sowing
• Watch for: rots in wet soil—keep it dry
• Toxicity: none (milder cat attractant than catnip)

Sources

• Nepeta × faassenii — NC State Extension
• Nepeta — Bluestone Perennials