Nepeta sibirica

RHS Plant Profile

Siberian catmint

Other common names

large-flowered catmint

Synonyms

Nepeta macrantha
Dracocephalum sibiricum

Herbaceous Perennial

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An upright, aromatic perennial to 90cm with branching stems and toothed, dark green leavesto 9cm long. In mid- and late summer produces spires of blue to lavender blue flowers up to 4cm long, arranged in whorls

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Nepeta can be annuals or, more commonly, perennials, with paired, usually aromatic leaves, and terminal spikes or panicles of 2-lipped, tubular flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Siberia to N China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate light shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn; take softwood stem-tip cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Gravel garden
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Wall side borders
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowerheads and cut hard back at the end of the flowering season or in early spring

Pests

May be damaged by slugs and snails and cats

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews