Nepeta x faassenii 'Six Hills Giant' - Catmint hybrid

Sizes available: True gallon

Basics: zones 4-7, 24-36" (taller in flower) x 30", full sun, long wands of lavender blooms over a long summer period, aromatic grey-green foliage, wants good drainage and is drought tolerant.

Common names: Catmint

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin/Distribution: This is a sterile hybrid of uncertain parentage. Nepeta x faassenii is a primary hybrid of N. racemosa and N. nepetella. N. racemosa is native to Turkey, northern Iran, and the Caucasus. N. nepetella is native to France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, and Morocco. Since both of these species are classified as low-growing, it seems another player must have been involved somewhere along the way. 'Six Hills Giant' is also sometimes known as Nepeta gigantea

Habitat: Species grow in sparsely vegetated areas that are sunny and well-draining such as grassland and scrub.

More: A statuesque and hardy plant as long as it has good drainage. Has a long flowering time and like with all Nepeta species is a pollinator magnet. I think it makes a nice little detail in a posey or medium-sized bouquet. Cut back hard after first flowering and it will flush a mound of nice, tidy growth and will probably flower again, but more lightly. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Source: Van Berkum

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons