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best nepeta

If you’re searching for the best nepeta to add colour and resilience to your New Zealand garden, you’re in the right place. Nepeta, commonly known as catmint, is beloved for its long-blooming blue to purple flowers, aromatic silver-green foliage, and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Catmint thrives in a wide range of conditions and is incredibly easy to maintain, making it one of the top choices for borders, cottage gardens, and even containers. But with so many beautiful varieties available, how can you choose the best nepeta for your garden’s specific needs? Let’s explore some top-rated selections to suit different spaces and styles.

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' plant with blue flowers.

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Walker's Low' is an award winning Catmint admired for its long flowering season and aromatic grey green foliage. From late spring through autumn, it produces masses of lavender blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies to NZ gardens.

From $17.87

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 25 cm
Spread: 25 cm
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.

Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum'

5 from 1 customers

Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' (Spider Plant) is a popular evergreen perennial valued for its arching green and white striped foliage and easy care nature. The long, narrow leaves form a graceful clump, while mature plants produce cascading stems carrying small white flowers and young plantlets.

From $39.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
Opuntia subulata plants in a desert.
Opuntia subulata

Opuntia subulata (Eve’s Needle Cactus) is a distinctive cactus valued for its upright cylindrical stems, architectural form, and strong year round...

From$20.63
Petrosedum sediforme lush, green foliage.
Petrosedum sediforme

Petrosedum sediforme is a hardy evergreen succulent valued for its dense mats of narrow, blue green leaves and bright summer flowers. Its low...

From$14.95
carpodetus-serratus-4
Carpodetus serratus

Carpodetus serratus, commonly known as the Putaputaweta Tree or Marble Leaf, is an attractive, NZ native tree with spreading branches that host...

From$298.09
Austrocylindropuntia vestita plant with red flowers.
Austrocylindropuntia vestita (Furry Cactus)

Austrocylindropuntia vestita is a distinctive cactus valued for its upright cylindrical stems covered in fine white hairs that create a soft, silvery...

From$19.50
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
Phormium tenax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the...

From$7.50
fuscospora-cliffortioides-4
Fuscospora cliffortioides

Fuscospora cliffortioides (Mountain Beech) is a distinctive New Zealand native evergreen tree valued for its fine foliage, natural form, and strong...

From$270.40
fraxinus-green-glow-
Fraxinus 'Green Glow'

Fraxinus 'Green Glow' is an attractive deciduous tree valued for its fresh green foliage, upright form, and dependable seasonal structure. The leafy...

From$511.09
Carex dissita (Purei) plant growing in a native garden.
Carex dissita (Purei)

Carex dissita, commonly known as Purei or Forest Sedge, features arching, mid-green leaves that radiate from a central clump. It typically grows to...

From$12.95
Juncus effusus plants growing in water.
Juncus effusus (Soft Rush Plant)

Juncus effusus (Spiral Rush) is an eye catching rush valued for its distinctive twisting green stems, compact clumping habit, and strong...

From$16.49
Photinia Black Jack dark red foliage.
Photinia 'Black Jack'

Photinia 'Black Jack' is a distinctive evergreen shrub valued for its deep red to burgundy new growth, glossy green mature foliage, and dense...

From$18.95
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.
Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$9.95
sansevieria-green-1
Sansevieria Green

Sansevieria Green (Serpent Plant) is a striking evergreen houseplant valued for its tall, upright green leaves and strong architectural form. The...

From$32.95
Cereus tetragonus plants in pots.
Cereus tetragonus

Cereus tetragonus (Fairy Castle Cactus) is a distinctive cactus valued for its upright, branching stems that create a miniature castle like...

From$34.95
Feijoa Takaka fruit on a table with one cut in half.
Feijoa 'Takaka'

Feijoa 'Takaka' is a productive evergreen fruiting shrub valued for its sweet aromatic fruit, attractive foliage, and reliable performance in New...

From$270.40
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

From$6.95
The best lawn fertiliser in NZ with moss killer.
Lawn Fertiliser

Achieve a vibrant, healthy lawn with our premium Lawn Fertiliser, specially formulated for New Zealand conditions. This fertiliser not only...

From$5.95
Stromanthe triostar plant.
Stromanthe Triostar

Stromanthe 'Triostar' is a striking tropical foliage plant prized for its colourful leaves patterned in green, cream, and pink with rich burgundy...

From$33.05
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
phoenix-roebelenii--3
Phoenix roebelenii

Phoenix roebelenii (Dwarf Date Palm) is an elegant palm valued for its fine, arching fronds and compact tropical appearance. The graceful green...

From$152.64
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone' shrubs with green foliage in pots.
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone'

Thuja 'Blue Cone' is a dwarf conifer that features dense and erect sprays of green foliage. It gets its name from the blue cones produced during...

From$289.95
Feijoa Mammoth large fruit.
Feijoa 'Mammoth'

Feijoa 'Mammoth' is a popular, vigorous variety known for producing extra-large, juicy fruit with rich, aromatic flavour. It performs exceptionally...

From$35.81
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
Large Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) plants growing in clumps beside a path.
Phyllostachys nigra

Phyllostachys nigra, commonly known as Black Bamboo, is one of the more elegant and interesting bamboo varieties. It features erect, black stems that...

From$387.55
Apricot 'Clutha Gold' orange fruit.
Apricot 'Clutha Gold'

Apricot 'Clutha Gold' produces orange fruit with a slight red blush in summer. The large-sized fruit is firm with an intense flavour. This deciduous...

From$404.59
A stunning Cordyline 'Salsa' plant with pink and purple striped foliage.
Cordyline 'Salsa'

Cordyline 'Salsa' is a striking evergreen foliage plant valued for its colourful, sword shaped leaves and strong architectural form. The vibrant...

From$25.95
An elegant Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' white flower.
Gardenia 'Professor Pucci'

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' is a stunning evergreen shrub known for its exceptionally large, fragrant white blooms and glossy green foliage. Flowering...

From$18.95
Orange 'Best Seedless' orange fruit with orange flesh.
Orange 'Best Seedless'

The ‘Best Seedless’ Orange is a superb variety prized for its deliciously sweet, seedless fruit and easy-to-peel skin. Perfect for New Zealand...

From$369.95
Plum 'Greengage' fruit.
Plum 'Greengage'

The ‘Greengage’ plum tree is a heritage variety prized for its lovely, green-skinned fruit with golden flesh. Renowned for its rich, honeyed flavour...

From$340.69
Black Doris' plums.
Plum Black Doris

The 'Black Doris' Plum is a popular variety that produces large and firm, purple-black fruit. The flesh is dark red, sweet, and juicy. White blossoms...

From$340.69
Lavender 'Radiance' plant with masses of pink flowers.
Lavender 'Radiance'

Lavender 'Radiance' is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its aromatic foliage and colourful flower spikes that bring long lasting interest to...

From$19.95
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Austrocylindropuntia, Carex, and Carpodetus, or related Categories - Cactus, Flaxes, and Grasses.

Search best nepeta

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

If you want reliable performance paired with compact growth, consider Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint). This variety forms tidy, rounded mounds of soft grey-green foliage topped with spikes of vivid blue flowers from early summer through autumn. Its moderate size makes it ideal for edging paths and filling in gaps at the front of borders. 'Blue Wonder' also boasts excellent drought tolerance and is a favourite with bees in New Zealand gardens.

Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint)

Highly lauded worldwide and celebrated for its extended bloom time, Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint) is a classic choice if you’re looking for the best nepeta for large drifts or informal borders. Despite what its name suggests, 'Walkers Low' actually grows to a generous medium height, creating clouds of lavender-blue blooms that arch gracefully over silver foliage. Its relaxed growth habit is perfect for softening hard landscaping and blending seamlessly with other perennials.

Nepeta faassenii

Nepeta faassenii serves as the parent species for many favourite hybrids, known for its compact form and reliable flowering. Its aromatic leaves and delicate blue flower spikes make it a charming addition to mixed plantings. In addition, this nepeta variety is deer and rabbit resistant—ideal for rural and city-edge gardens in New Zealand.

Nepeta mussinii (Catmint)

For those seeking the best nepeta for rockeries or low-maintenance plantings, Nepeta mussinii (Catmint) stands out. Its soft, mounding shape and prolific display of bluish-purple flowers make it a great ground cover. It also pairs well with spring bulbs, providing foliage that emerges early in the season.

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint)

For gardeners who love bold statements, Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) is the definitive showpiece. With its tall upright stems and profuse spikes of lilac-blue flowers, it’s the go-to choice for the back of borders or as a feature in cottage-style gardens. Butterflies adore it, and it’s well-suited to sunny, well-drained spots.

Choosing the Best Nepeta for Your Garden

When deciding on the best nepeta, consider your garden’s conditions, available space, and the effect you’d like to achieve. Whether you prefer compact mounds, loose drifts, or dramatic height, these remarkable catmint varieties will bring colour, fragrance, and pollinators to your outdoor spaces all season long.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Stromanthe Triostar and Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate', but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Leptinella dioica, Schefflera actinophylla, and Strelitzia reginae (Orange Bird Of Paradise)?
–The Plant Company

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