Nepeta sibirica 'Altai'

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catmint 'Altai'

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catmint 'Altai' RHS / Joanna Kossak
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Herbaceous Perennial

An upright, aromatic, clump-forming perennial to 50cm, with branching stems and toothed, bright green leaves. In mid- and late summer produces open spires of violet-blue flowers arranged in whorls

Position

Full sun

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
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
Accepted

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

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

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

Powdery mildews can be problematic