Nepeta

Lavender-blue flowers (sometimes white or yellow) are produced in narrow spikes among soft greyish-green leaves throughout summer. The floppy stems of these upright plants splay outwards, which can be useful for softening edges of beds and borders.

Catmints will grow in any soil that drains easily, ideally in full sun, although Nepeta subsessilus will tolerate light shade. Most catmints thrive in dry soil, but Nepeta subsessilus, Nepeta kubanica and Nepeta nuda do better on moister soil.

Permanently wet soils can cause plants to rot off and die. Plants struggle in deep shade.

The appeal of these plants to cats is well known, and some cat toys are stuffed with dried leaves. While many cats can flatten plants in their excitement, some are more disdainful or just have a little chew.