Nepeta racemosa 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile

catmint 'Alba'

John Fielding

Herbaceous Perennial

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A compact, clump-forming deciduous perennial with aromatic silver grey-green leaves and arching stems of white flowers which flower continuously from late spring through to the autumn. An ideal variety for edging borders as it does not become straggly. Very attractive to cats

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or 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): H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Clump forming
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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn or by softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Wildlife gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Ground cover

Pruning

Trim after flowering to keep plants compact and to encourage a second flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs on new growth

Diseases

May be susceptible powdery mildews in a dry summer