tall catmint

What is Tall Catmint?

Tall catmint refers to select varieties of Nepeta that grow taller than typical edging catmints, often reaching 60–90 centimetres or more. The most celebrated tall catmint is Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint), valued for its robust stature and hefty waves of lavender-blue flowers throughout spring and summer. Unlike its shorter relatives such as Nepeta mussinii (Catmint) or Nepeta faassenii, tall catmint provides substantial vertical interest, making it ideal for middle to back-of-border plantings.

Key Features and Benefits

Tall catmint is loved in New Zealand gardens for its drought tolerance, ability to thrive in poor soils, and resistance to pests and diseases. Its aromatic foliage helps to deter rabbits and deer, while the nectar-rich flowers provide a feast for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. With their lax but upright growth, taller catmints such as Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) are perfect for spilling gracefully over paths or mingling with other perennials in a naturalistic style.

Best Tall Catmint Varieties

While there are many beautiful nepeta varieties, gardeners seeking real height and substance should consider Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint). Its arching stems and spikes form a showy mound, often exceeding 75 centimetres tall and wide, making it a staple for classic borders or larger-scale plantings.

For those wanting compact alternatives, Nepeta mussinii (Catmint), Nepeta faassenii, Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint), and Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint) deliver soft colour and fragrance, but on a smaller scale, making them ideal for edging or front-of-border use.

How to Grow Tall Catmint

Growing tall catmint is straightforward, even for new gardeners. Choose a spot with full sun and free-draining soil for the best display. While tall catmint tolerates light shade, intense flowering and bushy growth occur in sunny locations. Once established, it needs little attention—just trim back after the first flush of flowers to encourage reblooming. Provide space, as tall catmint varieties like Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) can spread generously. Divide every few years to maintain vigour and prevent overcrowding.

Uses for Tall Catmint

Tall catmint makes a superb companion to roses, ornamental grasses, and other sun-loving perennials. Use it to create swaying drifts among shrubs, as a low-maintenance alternative to lavender in formal or relaxed planting schemes, or as a soft, natural barrier along paths. Its forgiving nature and cloud-like clusters of blue flowers make tall catmint an essential perennial in gardens seeking structure, pollinators, and year-round fragrance.

Explore our full range of nepeta to find the ideal tall catmint and complementary varieties for your New Zealand garden, including Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint), Nepeta mussinii (Catmint), Nepeta faassenii, Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint), and Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint).