Height:

17.0-20.0 Inches

Spread:

24.0-36.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8

Flower Color:

Blue shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Low Water Needs Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer Midsummer Late Summer Early Fall Long Blooming

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Bee Friendly

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Cottage Eclectic Prairie

Other Features:

Border Plant Cut Flower Cut Foliage Drought Tolerant Easy To Grow Fragrant Flowers Fragrant Foliage Mass Planting

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Nepetas are easy to grow perennials that provide a beautiful show of color all summer long. They prefer to be planted in full sun and ordinary, well-drained soil. Shearing the plant back in the springtime will promote more compact growth. In addition, cutting plants back by half after their first bloom tends to stimulate a second bloom cycle.

Growing Temperature:

64-68° F.

Holding Temperature:

55-60 degrees F

Soil PH:

6.0-6.6

EC (What is EC?):

1.5-2.0 pour through method

Fertility:

Light to moderate feeders. Incorporate controlled release fertilizer into growing media at a rate equivalent to 1 pound nitrogen per yard of medium. Another method is using a water soluble fertilizer at a rate of 100-150 ppm nitrates to the crop each watering.

Vernalization:

Not required but is cold-beneficial. Provide 6-9 weeks of cold.

Pests & Diseases:

Aphids, leafhoppers, slugs, snails, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies. Rot(Sclerotium), powdery mildew (Erysiphe), leaf spots, bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas), stem and root rots, mosaic virus, and Fusarium wilt are diseases to watch for on Nepeta.

Potting & Timing:

Nepeta are fast finishing and can be planted in early spring to late summer.

Moisture:

For potting soil use professional planting media.
Requires low levels of moisture, often considered drought tolerant.
Water in thoroughly when first planted and then when the soil in the bottom of the drain holes feels dry to the touch.

Planting Level:

Place crown of plant just below soil level.

PGRs/Pinching:

Apply 2-3 spray applications of Bonzi, Paczol or Piccolo (paclobutrazol) at 30 ppm or Concise or Sumagic (uniconazole) at 5 ppm at 7-10 day intervals beginning when the plants are 4-6 inches high. Plugs benefit from a pinch shortly after transplanting.

Lighting:

Requires long days to flower.

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