Nepeta govaniana, a captivating herbaceous perennial, stands tall with its upright, branching habit and reaches heights of approximately 90cm (3ft). Its oval-shaped leaves, adorned with soft hairs, exude a pleasant aroma, and from summer through early autumn, the plant graces the garden with long, open spikes of pale, creamy-yellow flowers, offering a prolonged period of bloom.
This elegant and graceful plant, often overlooked, deserves a prominent place in gardens. A refreshing departure from traditional catmints, this Nepeta thrives in cool, moist, well-drained conditions and can tolerate some shade.
How to care for Nepeta govaniana:
Nepeta thrives in sunny, well-drained locations with slightly alkaline soil and should be planted with plenty of well-rotted organic matter into the backfill and immediate area. To encourage a second flush of blooms, prune it by one-third after the first flowering and cut back heavily in late winter to maintain its shape.
Regular deadheading will promote continuous flowering, and once established, water deeply but infrequently, to assist in developing drought-tolerance. Apply a light mulch around the base annually and avoid over-fertilising to prevent floppy growth. Divide the plant every 3-4 years to maintain its vigour.
Good air circulation is important to prevent fungal (mildew) issues so space plants accordingly - we recommend a spacing of 30cm (12in) between 9cm plants, and 45cm (18in) between 2 litre plants.