persian catmint

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Persian catmint is a delightful perennial that brings beauty, fragrance, and pollinator-attracting power to New Zealand gardens. Known for its lush grey-green foliage and clouds of soft lavender flowers, Persian catmint thrives in a wide variety of garden settings. Whether you’re searching for a reliable border plant or something to fill awkward spaces, Persian catmint offers versatility, low-maintenance appeal, and season-long blooms. Explore everything you need to know about Persian catmint, including its benefits, how to grow it, and other Nepeta varieties worth considering for your planting plans.

Lime Bearss

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The 'Bearss' Lime, also known as Persian or Tahitian lime, is a vigorous, nearly thornless citrus tree that thrives in New Zealand’s warmer regions. It produces medium-sized, seedless green limes with a tangy, juicy flavour ideal for cooking and drinks. This evergreen tree grows 3–5 m tall and can fruit year-round in favourable conditions. 'Bearss' Lime trees prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and a sheltered position. It’s perfect for gardens, orchards, or large containers on patios.

Buy Lime Bearss

From $229.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Citrus

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Flowering time: Summer

Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

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

Strobilanthes gossypinus

Strobilanthes gossypinus, commonly known as the Persian Shield, is an evergreen shrub grown for its lush foliage. It features grey-green leaves that are covered with fine hairs. These mid-sized, showy leaves are held densely off sturdy stems as it grows to 1 m tall and 1.5 m wide. Strobilanthes gossypinus is commonly included in a mixed planting, planted around outdoor living areas such as pools, maintained in a container, or used as a backdrop for smaller plants. Its foliage also makes it suitable for inclusion in a tropical garden, providing excellent texture.

Buy Strobilanthes gossypinus

From $27.53

Suited to regions: Subtropical

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.50 m

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

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock, Tropical

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Lime, Melia, and Nepeta, or related Categories - Lime Trees, Perennials, and Evergreen Shrubs.

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What is Persian Catmint?

Persian catmint (Nepeta mussinii) is a compact, aromatic perennial native to the Caucasus and parts of Iran. With a sprawling habit, this plant is valued for its ability to create soft, flowing edges in garden beds. The finely textured foliage emits a pleasant scent both when handled and after rain, which naturally deters some pests while attracting bees and butterflies. Its charming flower spikes—from pale blue to lilac—appear from late spring through summer, adding long-lasting colour and movement to the garden. If you’re interested in growing this classic catmint yourself, take a look at Nepeta mussinii (Catmint) for reliable performance and ornamental value.

Gardening Uses and Benefits

Persian catmint is celebrated for its drought tolerance and resilience in New Zealand’s varied climates. It’s perfect for:

Pollinator gardens: The nectar-rich flowers provide a feast for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Borders and edging: Its compact, neat mound fits beautifully along paths and front-of-border positions, softening hard landscaping.
Ground cover: Persian catmint’s dense foliage shades the soil and suppresses weeds, making it especially useful for larger garden areas.
Companion planting: Gardeners often pair Persian catmint with roses, where it contrasts beautifully and helps deter aphids.
Container gardening: For patios and smaller spaces, Persian catmint grows well in pots and responds nicely to light pruning for shape.

How to Grow and Care for Persian Catmint

Persian catmint prefers full sun but will also tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hotter regions. Well-drained soil is key—heavy clay or waterlogged areas should be amended with compost or grit. Once established, catmint rarely needs watering except during extended dry spells. Pruning flower stems after the first bloom encourages a second flush, and the neat foliage looks tidy year-round. If you’re searching for alternative catmint varieties, consider Nepeta faassenii for a slightly taller habit, Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint) for striking flower spikes, or Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) for larger borders and landscapes. Smaller spaces or mini gardens benefit from Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint), a compact cultivar with vibrant blue flowers.

Persian Catmint in New Zealand Gardens

Persian catmint’s adaptability makes it a staple in modern and traditional New Zealand gardens alike. Its reliable bloom and gentle foliage work wonders in informal cottage settings as well as more structured landscape designs. For easy-care, pollinator-friendly planting, Persian catmint is a top choice—just be sure to browse Nepeta varieties for the perfect fit in your garden plan.

If you’re ready to add Persian catmint to your garden, discover top-performing options like Nepeta mussinii (Catmint) and browse related Nepeta selections for creative, low-maintenance planting schemes. Persian catmint offers lasting colour, fragrance, and wildlife support, making it an essential perennial for New Zealand gardeners.

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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.