catmint varieties

Popular Catmint Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

With so many options, it’s helpful to discover the unique traits that distinguish different catmint varieties. Here’s a closer look at some garden favourites you’ll find in our nursery:

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint)

One of the tallest catmint varieties, Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint), forms lush, upright mounds reaching up to 90cm in height. Its generous sprays of violet-blue flowers bloom from late spring well into autumn. This variety is ideal for larger borders or as a relaxed informal hedge. It’s robust, drought-tolerant, and a magnet for bees.

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint) is beloved for its compact habit, perfect for edging and smaller spaces. The rich blue flowers and aromatic foliage make this variety a standout in mixed perennial plantings. Excellent for containers or mass plantings, it thrives on little care but provides months of attractive colour.

Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint)

A favourite among landscape designers, Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint) has a graceful, arching habit, with spikes of lavender-blue flowers that seem to spill over paths or walls. Its tidy growth and prolific blooming make it one of the most reliable catmint varieties for repeat colour and structure, even in exposed or dry positions.

Nepeta mussinii (Catmint)

Known for its lower, spreading growth, Nepeta mussinii (Catmint) creates a mat of finely textured foliage topped with soft blue-lavender flowers. This variety is an excellent choice for suppressing weeds or softening the base of roses and shrubs. Easy to divide and move, it’s a top pick for naturalistic, cottage, or Mediterranean-inspired plantings.

Nepeta faassenii

For an all-rounder in smaller beds, Nepeta faassenii brings a low, neat mound of grey foliage and clouds of long-flowering blue blooms. Highly resistant to drought and robust in poor soils, this variety reliably fills ground-level gaps while deterring pests and attracting beneficial pollinators.

Which Catmint Variety Is Right for You?

When choosing among catmint varieties, consider garden size, sunlight, soil, and intended use. Taller types like Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) make structural statements, while compact forms such as Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint) suit edging and pots. Most catmints are low-maintenance, coping well with New Zealand’s climate and rewarding you with sustained colour and delightful fragrance.

Discover the best catmint varieties for your garden and enjoy easy-care beauty season after season. Explore our full range online or visit us for expert advice tailored to Kiwi growers.