Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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blue catmint

Blue catmint is a must-have perennial for New Zealand gardeners seeking vibrant colour, easy care, and pollinator-friendly blooms. Renowned for its billowy clouds of blue flowers and aromatic foliage, blue catmint brings texture and charm to borders, cottage gardens, and containers. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or just starting your garden journey, the appeal of blue catmint lies in both its beauty and resilience.

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' green foliage and blue flowers.

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' is a vigorous perennial prized for its aromatic foliage and abundant lavender blue flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. Taller than most Catmints, this variety creates a soft, flowing effect in NZ gardens, attracting bees and butterflies in abundance. Its drought tolerance and low maintenance needs make it ideal for both cottage and modern landscapes. 'Six Hills Giant' delivers colour, fragrance, and resilience with ease.

Buy Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint)

From $18.83

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Perennials

Height: 50 cm

Spread: 75 cm

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern

Prostanthera Eddington Blue (Mint Bush Plant)

Prostanthera Eddington Blue is an evergreen shrub grown for its foliage and flowers. It features small and glossy, green leaves which are highly aromatic. The foliage is complemented with masses of small, blue flowers in spring as it grows to 1 m tall and the same wide. Prostanthera Eddington Blue is commonly included in a mixed planting, used in borders, or planted anywhere the beauty and fragrance of this plant can be enjoyed.

Buy Prostanthera Eddington Blue (Mint Bush Plant)

From $26.93

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Paths & Steps

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Rock

What Makes Blue Catmint Unique?

Blue catmint stands out for its profuse spikes of soft blue-purple flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. Its silvery-green, scented leaves provide a lovely complement to the blossoms, and together, they attract bees, butterflies, and even friendly felines. This perennial thrives in New Zealand’s varied climates, tolerating light frosts and dry spells once established.

Low maintenance and deer-resistant, blue catmint is perfect for gardeners looking for fuss-free colour and texture. It also pairs beautifully with roses, lavender, and spring bulbs, offering contrasting hues and a delightful cottage garden feel.

Growing Blue Catmint in New Zealand

Plant blue catmint in full sun for the best blooms and strong growth. While it manages in partial shade, sunnier spots encourage richer colours and denser flowers. Nepeta varieties prefer well-drained soil and benefit from occasional trimming to keep their shape and encourage further flowering.

Water newly planted blue catmint well until established. Afterward, it’s drought-tolerant and generally trouble-free. Over time, blue catmint will form attractive mounds that soften edges and pathways. For more details on specific varieties and planting tips, explore Nepeta mussinii (Catmint), a classic blue catmint prized for its long flowering period.

Popular Blue Catmint Varieties

Several cultivars offer unique traits and shades within the blue catmint family:

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint) boasts compact growth and striking blue blooms, ideal for small gardens and pots.
Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint) is noted for its abundant flowers and lowered stature, perfect for edging borders.
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) provides larger mounds and taller spikes, making a statement in mixed plantings.

Each variety offers slightly different shades and habits, ensuring there’s a blue catmint for every Kiwi garden.

Companion Plants and Alternatives

Combine blue catmint with other aromatic and wildlife-friendly plants for a thriving ecosystem. If you love minty fragrances, consider pairing blue catmint with Prostanthera Eddington Blue (Mint Bush Plant), a native mint bush with showy blue flowers and delightful scent. Catmint also harmonizes with salvia, lamb’s ear, and hardy geraniums for multi-season interest.

Discover the Joy of Blue Catmint

Whether planted en masse or as a feature, blue catmint brings softness, colour, and pollinator activity to New Zealand gardens. Explore our range of Nepeta mussinii (Catmint), Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint), Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint), and Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) to find the perfect blue catmint variety for your unique space. Transform your garden with these reliable, beautiful perennials today.

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.