Nepeta cataria Labiatae

CULTIVATION Catmint is a perennial, hardy herbaceous herb. It has aromatic, downy, grey-green leaves with spikes of small, soft blue or white flowers from early summer. It grows to a height of 45cm-1m (18-36in) and prefers well-drained, poorish soil and sun. Propagate it by taking softwood cuttings in spring or by dividing the plant in late summer, planting them 30cm (12in) apart. Harvest the leaves and flowers whenever they are available, picking leaves you intend drying from midsummer.

A lovely garden, border, edging and container herb, it deters insects and beetles so grow it as a companion plant in kitchen, fruit and herb gardens. For edging, the low-growing catmint, N. mussinii is recommended.