Nepeta × faassenii, a flowering plant also known as catmint and Faassen's catnip, is a primary hybrid of garden origin. The parent species are Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella.
It is an herbaceous perennial, with oval, opposite, intricately veined, gray—green leaves, on square stems. The foliage is fragrant. It grows from tall by wide.Missouri Botanical Garden: Nepeta × faassenii . accessed 1.10.2013
The plant produces small but showy, abundant, two-lipped, trumpet-shaped, soft lavender flowers, from spring through autumn. Continued blooming is encouraged by deadheading. The seeds are predominantly sterile, and so the plant will not reseed as an invasive species, unlike some other Nepeta species.High Country Gardens: Nepeta × faassenii 'Select Blue' . accessed 1.10.2013
Cultivation Nepeta × faassenii is cultivated for its attractive aromatic foliage and masses of blue flowers, as groundcover, border edging, or in pots or rock gardens. It is drought tolerant, and can be deer resistant. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It was first cultivated by Faassen Nurseries in Tegelen, Netherlands, and named by Bergmans.
Cultivars Numerous cultivars are available in the trade.
'Walker's Low' — silver grey foliage, lavender blue flowers, tall by wide, 2007 "Perennial of the Year" (by Perennial Plant Association).Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low' . accessed 1.10.2013Missouri Botanical Garden: Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low' . accessed 1.102013 'Jr. Walker' TM —PP 23,074, compact induced mutant of Walker low, small silver grey foliage, small lavender blue flowers, tall by wide, 2013 "Top Performer" (by Colorado State University Perennial Trial Garden). Bred by Michael Dobres NovaFlora LLC, introduced by Star Roses & Plants 'Blue Wonder' — blue flowers, "Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit". 'Select Blue' — noticeably bluer flowers, wide. 'Six Hills Giant' — periwinkle blue flowers, tall.Walters Gardens: Nepeta × faassenii 'Six Hills Giant' . 1.10.2013
References
External links
Kemper Center For Home Gardening — Nepeta × faassenii