‘Grog’ catmint (Nepeta faassenii) – nectar-rich perennial – 11 cm pot – 25 cm tall

Yes, the 'Grog' catmint (Nepeta racemosa) is one of the most accessible perennials there is. It is content with ordinary well-drained soil and a sunny position, requiring no special fertilization or frequent watering once established. Its drought tolerance, hardiness, and maintenance limited to a spring pruning make it an ideal choice for getting started with full-sun perennials. Even an inexperienced gardener will get a beautiful display in the first year, provided they follow these two fundamental criteria: sun and good drainage.

Nepeta 'Grog' offers 'one of the longest flowering periods in the perennial garden: its blue-purple spikes appear from late May and last until'September, providing nearly four months of colour. Flowering occurs in two natural waves, with a peak in June and an autumn resurgence. If you cut back the stems by'a third after the first wave, you will encourage an even more profuse second flowering in August and September. This generous display makes it an excellent choice for borders that need to look beautiful throughout the'summer.

Absolutely. Nepeta 'Grog' is a well-known nectar- and pollen-producing plant: its small blue-purple tubular flowers, very rich in nectar, attract large numbers of honeybees, bumblebees, and many butterfly species, such as peacock butterflies and tortoiseshells. The exceptional length of its flowering season, from May to September, makes it a valuable link in the pollinators' food chain during a critical period of t'he summer. Adding this Nepeta to your garden i's a concrete way to support local biodiversity while enjoying a'lively, animated display in your flowerbeds.

To obtain a second wave of flowering, cut back the flowering stems by'about one-third of their height as soon as the first June bloom begins to fade, usually in late June or early July. This pruning encourages the plant to produce new lateral shoots that'will bloom in August and September. At the end of'winter, around March, cut the'entire clump back to 5-8 cm above the ground to ensure a fresh and vigorous start. Avoid pruning in autumn, as the old stems slightly protect the crown during periods of frost.

Yes, Nepeta 'Grog' s'adapts very well to growing in a pot or planter, provided you choose a container at 'least 25-30 cm in diameter to allow the roots to develop properly. Use a well-draining substrate, for example a mixture of potting soil and pumice or gravel, and make sure the pot has effective drainage 'holes. In a pot, watering will need to be slightly more regular than 'in the ground, especially in the height of summer. Place the pot in a spot with full sun and enjoy its long-lasting blooms from the first season.

Nepeta 'Grog' (Nepeta racemosa) is a fully hardy perennial, capable of withstanding sub-zero winter temperatures without protection in most regions of France. Its woody rootstock remains dormant underground during the winter and vigorously regrows in spring as soon as temperatures rise. In areas subject to intense and prolonged frosts, a light mulch of dead leaves or bark at the base of the plant is sufficient to ensure regrowth. It is not necessary to bring it indoors for protection, unlike many other Mediterranean perennials.

Nepeta 'Grog' s'pairs beautifully with 'other full-sun perennials with complementary textures and colors. It 'coordinates perfectly with salvias, pink or orange echinacea, yellow or white achillea, and gaura for a natural, country-style effect. At the border, its soft gray-green foliage contrasts elegantly with the dark foliage of heuchera or the upright form of grasses such as pennisetum. Its blue-mauve flowers also provide an ideal transitional color between warm shades (red, orange) and cool shades (white, pale pink) in a mixed border.