Nepeta

The genus Catnip, or Nepeta (Nepeta), has about 250 rhizomatous perennial, less often annual or semi-shrub plant species. The leaves of some of them are fragrant and have medicinal properties. In June, tubular and rather small flowers appear. The genus gets its name from one of the species, catnip, which cats use as an effective cleanser. Nepeta cataria is a species that grows up to 50 cm in height. The leaves are heart-shaped, with a serrated edge, green on the upper side and whitish pubescent on the lower side. From May, pink or white-pink flowers collected in false whorls with a double corolla, covered with red specks at the bottom, begin to bloom. Flowering continues almost until the end of summer. Musin's Catnip (n. mussinii) is a commonly grown species up to 30 cm tall. Its egg-shaped leaves are silver-gray in color. During the spring-summer period, lilac-blue flowers with dark spots inside, collected in false whorls, bloom. Flowering lasts until September. There are varieties with purple-blue flowers. Ivy-shaped catnip (n. hederacea) is a 20 cm tall species with light kidney-shaped leaves. In spring, silvery-blue flowers appear, gathered together in inflorescences. There is a cultivar with a white pattern on the leaves. Veined catnip (n. nervosa) - a species up to 60 cm tall. The leaves are lanceolate. In the period from June to September, flowers collected in whorls, painted in various tones of blue and purple, bloom.

The genus Catnip, or Nepeta (Nepeta), has about 250 rhizomatous perennial, less often annual or semi-shrub plant species. The leaves of some of them are fragrant and have medicinal properties. In June, tubular and rather small flowers appear. The genus gets its name from one of the species, catnip, which cats use as an effective cleanser.

Nepeta cataria is a species that grows up to 50 cm in height. The leaves are heart-shaped, with a serrated edge, green on the upper side and whitish pubescent on the lower side. From May, pink or white-pink flowers collected in false whorls with a double corolla, covered with red specks at the bottom, begin to bloom. Flowering continues almost until the end of summer.

Musin's Catnip (n. mussinii) is a commonly grown species up to 30 cm tall. Its egg-shaped leaves are silver-gray in color. During the spring-summer period, lilac-blue flowers with dark spots inside, collected in false whorls, bloom. Flowering lasts until September. There are varieties with purple-blue flowers.

Ivy-shaped catnip (n. hederacea) is a 20 cm tall species with light kidney-shaped leaves. In spring, silvery-blue flowers appear, gathered together in inflorescences. There is a cultivar with a white pattern on the leaves.

Veined catnip (n. nervosa) - a species up to 60 cm tall. The leaves are lanceolate. In the period from June to September, flowers collected in whorls, painted in various tones of blue and purple, bloom.

Cultivation

Catnip is grown in the open ground in mixborders and rock gardens, in group plantings in flower beds and flower beds, in pots on balconies and terraces. Planted in a permanent place usually in autumn or early spring (in areas with cold winters), observing the distance between plants 30-35 cm. Good drainage is required. The land is filled with peat and mineral complex fertilizer at the rate of 30 g/m2. When growing plants in pots, a mixture of peat and fertile land is used, complex mineral fertilizers are added at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil. During the spring-summer period, once every 20 days, a complex fertilizer is diluted in water for irrigation at the rate of 15 g per bucket, and top dressing is carried out.

Catnip is grown in the open ground in mixborders and rock gardens, in group plantings in flower beds and flower beds, in pots on balconies and terraces. Planted in a permanent place usually in autumn or early spring (in areas with cold winters), observing the distance between plants 30-35 cm. Good drainage is required. The land is filled with peat and mineral complex fertilizer at the rate of 30 g/m2. When growing plants in pots, a mixture of peat and fertile land is used, complex mineral fertilizers are added at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil. During the spring-summer period, once every 20 days, a complex fertilizer is diluted in water for irrigation at the rate of 15 g per bucket, and top dressing is carried out.

Location

If possible, plant in the open sun or in partial shade.

Temperature

All the described species are resistant to both high and low air temperatures.

Watering

Water regularly and abundantly, but without stagnation of water.

Transplant

Transplant in late autumn or early spring, using a new pot slightly larger than the old one.

Care

Remove faded inflorescences and damaged parts of the plant.

Reproduction

Catnip is propagated in spring by sowing seeds in boxes filled with peat and fertile soil, or in summer by cuttings, placing cuttings in a mixture of peat and sand (or agroperlite), taken in equal parts. Before planting in a permanent place in the ground, the planting material is grown in pots or in the open ground in a protected corner of the garden. In addition, you can divide the bush and immediately plant the resulting parts.

Diseases

The most serious disease that affects catnip is powdery mildew of grapes, or oidium. It occurs in the hot and humid season, with a layer of whitish fluffy plaque forming on the leaves and stems. Treatment is carried out with sulfur-containing preparations or agents designed to combat oidium.

Acquisition

Potted catnip seedlings can be found in flower nurseries and horticultural centers. Buy it better in the spring. Choose a compact planting material.