Nepeta × faassenii explained

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 1feet-2feetft (-ft) tall by 1feet-3feetft (-ft) wide.^[1]

The plant produces small but showy, abundant, two-lipped, trumpet-shaped, soft lavender flowers, from spring through autumn. Continued blooming is encouraged by deadheading.^[1] The seeds are predominantly sterile, and so the plant will not reseed as an invasive species, unlike some other nepeta species.^[2]

Cultivation

Nepeta × faassenii is cultivated for its attractive aromatic foliage and masses of blue flowers,^[3] 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.^[4] It was first cultivated by Faassen Nurseries in Tegelen, Netherlands, and named by Bergmans.

CultivarsNumerous cultivars are available in the trade.

• 'Walker's Low' — silver grey foliage, lavender blue flowers, 2feet-2.5feetft (-ft) tall by 2.5feet-3feetft (-ft) wide, 2007 "Perennial of the Year" (by Perennial Plant Association).^{[5] [6] [7]}
• 'Jr. Walker' TM —PP 23,074,^[8] compact induced mutant of Walker low, small silver grey foliage, small lavender blue flowers, 1feet-1.5feetft (-ft) tall by 2.5feet-3feetft (-ft) wide, 2013 "Top Performer" (by Colorado State University Perennial Trial Garden).^[9] Bred by Michael Dobres NovaFlora LLC, introduced by Star Roses & Plants ^[10]
• 'Blue Wonder' — blue flowers, "Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit".^[2]
• 'Select Blue' — noticeably bluer flowers, 15inches-18inchesin (-in) wide.^[2]
• 'Six Hills Giant' — periwinkle blue flowers, 2feet-3feetft (-ft) tall.^[11]

External links

• Kemper Center For Home Gardening — Nepeta × faassenii
• RHS Plant Selector: Nepeta × faassenii (Garden catmint)

Notes and References

1. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/e330/nepeta-x-faassenii.aspx Missouri Botanical Garden: Nepeta × faassenii
2. http://www.highcountrygardens.com/index/page/product/product_id/2154 High Country Gardens: Nepeta × faassenii 'Select Blue'
3. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
4. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Nepeta x faassenii. https://archive.today/20130423214325/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1326. dead. 23 April 2013. 25 May 2013.
5. http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/nepeta-x-faassenii-walkers-low.aspx Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low'
6. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/t160/nepeta-racemosa-walker's-low.aspx Missouri Botanical Garden: Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low'
7. Web site: Mississippi State University Extension Service |.
8. Web site: Nepeta plant named 'Novanepjun'.
9. Web site: Annual Flower Trial Garden at Colorado State University 2013 "Top Performer" Perennial . www.flowertrials.colostate.edu . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202173622/http://www.flowertrials.colostate.edu/trial_winners.php?year=2013&category=Perennial . 2014-02-02.
10. Web site: Nepeta Junior Walker™ Star® Roses and Plants. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140201195554/http://www.starrosesandplants.com/plants/nepeta-junior-walker . 2014-02-01 .
11. http://www.waltersgardens.com/plants/General-Perennial/639_Nepeta-faasseniiSix-Hills-Giant.aspx Walters Gardens: Nepeta × faassenii 'Six Hills Giant'