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

Nepeta species, commonly known as catmint, are beloved perennials that offer a winning combination of beauty, resilience, and versatility for New Zealand gardens. With their gently aromatic foliage and masses of violet-blue to lavender blooms, nepeta species attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies while being largely pest-free. Whether you’re seeking a low-maintenance edging, a soft filler for mixed borders, or a pollinator-friendly addition to your garden, nepeta species are a top choice. Their easy-going nature makes them ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike. From compact forms perfect for small spaces to vigorous upright growers for dramatic impact, exploring the range of nepeta species provides plenty of possibilities for garden design.

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

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and landscaping. With green and creamy-white striped foliage and feathery plumes in summer, this clump-forming grass is both functional and decorative. The Plant Company supplies top-quality, NZ-grown Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ for use in modern and low-maintenance garden designs.

Buy Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

From $22.88

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Grasses

Height: 90 cm

Spread: 50 cm

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn, Winter

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

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

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern

Characteristics of Nepeta Species

Nepeta species are widely admired for their attractive, silvery-green foliage and profuse flowering. Most māori gardens value their drought tolerance and capacity to thrive in poor soils, making them a standout option in New Zealand’s varied conditions. The aromatic leaves of nepeta species not only provide a sensory treat but are also resistant to browsing deer and rabbits. Flowering from late spring through autumn, these perennials deliver a long-lasting show of colour that pairs beautifully with roses, grasses, and other cottage garden favourites.

Popular Nepeta Varieties

Several standout selections demonstrate the diversity within nepeta species. One of the best-loved is Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint), prized for its soft mounds of violet-blue flowers and extended blooming period. Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint) offers a compact habit ideal for containers or edging paths. If you’re looking for a larger, more dramatic catmint, Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) stands tall and holds its blooms above robust foliage. For those interested in classic hybrids, Nepeta faassenii is widely planted for its exceptional performance and reliable colour. Nepeta mussinii (Catmint) is another favourite, valued for its soft blue blooms and neat growth habit.

Uses and Benefits in the Garden

Nepeta species easily enhance a garden’s beauty and biodiversity. Their nectar-rich flowers make them superb for attracting pollinators, and their non-invasive growth complements a wide array of companion plants. Given their tolerance to dry conditions, nepeta species are perfect for water-wise landscapes and gravel gardens. The aromatic foliage adds another sensory layer, whether planted en masse or as individual accents. Best of all, their resilience means fewer worries about diseases or pests—an effortless solution for lasting garden colour.

Growing Tips for Nepeta Species

Nepeta species thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soils. Minimal maintenance is required; simply shear spent blooms in summer to encourage further flowering. These perennials seldom require staking and adapt well to both borders and containers. Planting nepeta species is straightforward, and their capacity for self-sowing means you might enjoy volunteer seedlings in future seasons.

Explore Our Range of Nepeta Species

Browse our collection of nepeta species, including popular cultivars like Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint), Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint), Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint), Nepeta faassenii, and Nepeta mussinii (Catmint). Let these easy-care perennials transform your outdoor space with clouds of calming colour and reliable performance.

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.