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dwarf nepeta

Dwarf nepeta is a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking a low-growing, easy-care perennial that adds a soft, airy touch of blue to garden beds, borders, and containers. With its aromatic silvery-green foliage and abundant clusters of delicate lavender-blue flowers, dwarf nepeta flowers for months, attracting bees and butterflies while deterring browsing rabbits and deer. This compact variety, often growing to just 20–30 cm tall, is perfect for edging pathways or filling small garden spaces, making it a versatile favourite for New Zealand gardens—whether in a classic cottage setting or a contemporary landscape.

Callistemon 'Little John' shrub in a courtyard garden covered in elegant, red flowers.

Callistemon 'Little John'

5 from 3 customers

Callistemon 'Little John' is a compact dwarf bottlebrush celebrated for its deep red flowers and fine blue green foliage. Flowering from spring into summer, it attracts bees and birds while maintaining a neat rounded shape all year.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' plant with blue flowers.

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' is a compact catmint with aromatic silvery green foliage and rich blue flower spikes through the warmer months. The rounded mound adds soft colour to sunny borders without the large spread of taller catmints. It is a compact flowering perennial suited to sunny border fronts, cottage gardens, pollinator planting, and pots.

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
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

From$8.50
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
A Metrosideros 'Tahiti' shrub about 70 cm tall and 60 cm wide with red flowers and lush foliage.
Metrosideros 'Tahiti'

Metrosideros 'Tahiti', commonly known as Dwarf Pohutukawa, is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its vibrant red flowers and silver-green foliage...

From$57.89
Ophiopogon 'Kyoto' (Dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon 'Kyoto'

Ophiopogon 'Kyoto' is a Dwarf Mondo Grass and grows as a small clump with fine, dark green foliage. Flower spikes appear in summer bearing tiny...

From$6.95
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
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
phormium-pepe-
Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year...

From$19.95
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone' shrubs with green foliage in pots.
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone'

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

From$289.95
calocephalus-silver-nugget--1
Calocephalus 'Silver Nugget' (Dwarf Cushion Bush)

Calocephalus 'Silver Nugget' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its finely branched silver foliage that creates a soft, rounded mound of colour...

From$23.39
Kniphofia Dwarf Scarlet plant with red flowers.
Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' is a compact perennial known for its vibrant red flower spikes that rise above neat grassy foliage. This eye catching plant...

From$20.63
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New...

From$22.01
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (prostrate Juniper) growing as a tidy ground cover.
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', commonly known as the Prostrate Juniper, is a ground-hugging conifer that forms a carpet of blue-green, needle-like...

From$65.55
Almond 'Garden Prince' tree.
Almond 'Garden Prince'

Almond 'Garden Prince' is a compact dwarf almond tree prized for its attractive spring blossoms and delicious homegrown almonds. This self fertile...

From$404.59
Agapanthus 'Agapetite' plant with lush green flowers and elegant white flowers.
Agapanthus 'Agapetite'

Agapanthus 'Agapetite', also known as the Dwarf Agapanthus, is a compact and vibrant perennial ideal for New Zealand gardens. This stunning variety...

From$19.95
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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
callistemon-green-john-
Callistemon 'Green John' (Dwarf Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Green John' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its fresh green foliage and vibrant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring...

From$27.53
hymenosporum-gold-nugget--2
Hymenosporum 'Gold Nugget'

Hymenosporum 'Gold Nugget' (Dwarf Frangipani) is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its glossy foliage and masses of fragrant creamy yellow...

From$34.43
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.
Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$8.50
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Geranium 'Dwarf White' (White Cranesbill)

Geranium 'Dwarf White' is grown for its short stature and beautiful flowers. It features lush, mid green foliage which becomes adorned with masses of...

From$20.63
'Satsuma' Mandarin fruit.
Mandarin 'Satsuma'

'Satsuma' is a very popular Mandarin variety because of its great taste, easy-to-peel fruit, and short stature. The fruit ripens in winter and is...

From$329.95
Nepeta mussinii with blue flowers and lush foliage.
Nepeta mussinii (Catmint)

Nepeta mussinii, also known as Catmint, is a hardy perennial loved for its aromatic grey green foliage and masses of violet blue flowers. Flowering...

OUT OF STOCK
Nepeta faassenii plants with blue flowers in a border.
Nepeta faassenii

Nepeta faassenii, commonly known as Catmint, is a hardy perennial valued for its aromatic grey green foliage and long lasting spikes of lavender blue...

OUT OF STOCK
Nepeta 'Walkers Low' blue flowers.
Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Walkers Low' is an award winning Catmint admired for its long flowering season and aromatic grey green foliage. From late spring through...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
Calamintha 'White Cloud' with masses of white flowers in a border garden.
Calamintha nepeta 'White Cloud'

Calamintha nepeta 'White Cloud' is a graceful perennial valued for its fine aromatic foliage and masses of tiny white flowers that bloom over a long...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum 'Little Anita' plants as topiary balls in a garden.
Pittosporum 'Little Anita' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Little Anita' is a dwarf variety of Pittosporum with small, light green leaves as it grows to about 60 cm tall and 75 cm wide. This...

OUT OF STOCK
A Pittosporum 'Midget' plant in a garden.
Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Midget' is a dwarf variety that features foliage made up of small, fresh green leaves. The foliage is complemented with small, purple...

OUT OF STOCK
Escallonia 'Newport Dwarf' low-growing shrubs with green foliage and pink flowers in a border garden.
Escallonia 'Newport Dwarf'

Escallonia 'Newport Dwarf' (Dwarf Escallonia) is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its neat growth habit, glossy foliage, and masses of pink...

OUT OF STOCK
Malpighia 'Pixie' plant with pink flowers.
Malpighia 'Pixie' (Dwarf Barbados Cherry)

Malpighia 'Pixie' is a compact evergreen fruiting shrub that combines attractive pink flowers with bright red fruit in warm NZ gardens. It is an...

OUT OF STOCK
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Nectarine Garden Delight - dwarf standard

Nectarine Garden Delight - dwarf standard is a compact deciduous fruit tree that produces sweet, juicy nectarines while fitting perfectly into...

OUT OF STOCK
Callistemon 'Little John'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Callistemon, Metrosideros, and Nepeta, or related Categories - Conifer Shrubs, Flaxes, and Mondo Grass.

Search dwarf nepeta

Why Choose Dwarf Nepeta?

Dwarf nepeta brings all the benefits of classic catmint, but in a tidy, manageable size. It thrives in New Zealand conditions, withstanding drought, poor soils, and general neglect. Once established, this low-maintenance perennial forms a soft, rolling mound of foliage and bursts into bloom in late spring, often continuing until the first autumn frosts. Dwarf nepeta is ideal for gardeners keen on sustainable practices, as its water-wise nature makes it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water borders.

How to Grow and Care for Dwarf Nepeta

Dwarf nepeta loves a sunny position with well-drained soil. It handles coastal conditions and drought but flourishes with a little mulch and occasional watering in long dry spells. Simply trim back after flowering to encourage fresh growth and further flushes of blooms. Whether planting along paths, spilling from raised beds, or nestling among roses, dwarf nepeta maintains its compact shape and continues to offer nectar for pollinators well into the season.

Great Companions and Related Nepeta Varieties

If you love the look and easy care of dwarf nepeta, consider complementing it with other well-loved catmints. For slightly different hues and heights, explore Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint) for a rich blue flower display, or Nepeta faassenii for a rounded, mounding growth habit. For a classic perennial border, try pairing dwarf nepeta with the compact Nepeta mussinii (Catmint), or add height and drama with the stately Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint). Those who favour a longer bloom time often opt for Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint), renowned for its extended flowering season.

Uses for Dwarf Nepeta in the Garden

Dwarf nepeta is tailor-made for the front of borders, rockeries, or even tucked into herb gardens among thyme and lavender. Its pollinator-friendly flowers ensure a lively, buzzing garden, while the fragrant foliage makes it a favourite for sensory gardens and pathways. It’s also a great choice for softening hard landscaping (like paths or pavers) and particularly useful in small gardens or courtyard spaces where every centimetre counts.

Plant a patch of dwarf nepeta for effortless beauty, reliable colour, and all the rewards of catmint in a perfectly petite size. Discover more Nepeta varieties to fill your garden with cottage charm, blooms, and bees.


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