Catmint

This catmint grows upright and in clumps. Its leaves and blue-violet flowers are larger than those of most better-known catmints. It fits well into mixed perennial beds. It handles drought well, but full scorching sun is not suitable for it.

A lesser-known, taller species of Catmint. In our country, it occurs naturally only rarely in northwest and central Bohemia and southern and central Moravia, where it grows on shrubby slopes and pastures. It is considered a critically endangered species.

Catmints are ideal companions for roses, suitable for naturalistic gardens, and lower-growing species fit well in window boxes and pots. Some of them are an irresistible attraction for cats, caused by the hallucinogen nepetalactone. This should be contained in the highest degree in the species Nepeta cataria. Conversely, lemon-scented catmints reportedly do not attract cats. The botanical name Nepeta likely comes from the ancient Etruscan city of Nepet - Nepi in the territory of today's Italian province of Viterbo, where the plant was once cultivated. Nepeta racemosa naturally grows on dry meadows and rocky, stony slopes from the Caucasus to Central Asia. It has aromatic grey-green leaves and forms a tufted semi-circular small bush. Amelia blooms with pale pink florets with a darker purple-colored calyx.