Nepeta ‘Kitten Around’: Tidy Form, Endless Bloom
Cute by name and impressive by nature, Nepeta ‘Kitten Around’ is a compact catmint that delivers a continuous flush of soft lavender-blue flowers over a neat, mounded habit. With fragrant foliage and strong drought tolerance, this charming perennial adds calming colour and pollinator buzz to sunny spaces with minimal effort.
Plant Characteristics:
- Height: 25–30 cm
- Spread: 45–60 cm, dense and rounded
- Flower Colour: Soft lavender-blue with purple calyxes
- Flowering Period: Late spring to early fall
- Foliage: Aromatic, grey-green, finely textured leaves
- Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to dry soils; thrives in lean conditions
Uses and Benefits: Nepeta ‘Kitten Around’ is the perfect choice for edging, containers, and small-space gardens. Its compact size and generous bloom make it a standout in both formal and informal settings. This selection is highly attractive to bees and butterflies and deer-resistant thanks to its fragrant foliage. A low-maintenance, long-blooming option for hot, sunny borders.
Companion Plants: Pair Nepeta ‘Kitten Around’ with Coreopsis ‘Zagreb’ for a bright, textural contrast that thrives in lean soils. Add Dianthus ‘Pretty Poppers Goody Gumdrops’ for playful colour echoes and a similar compact scale. Introduce Festuca ‘Beyond Blue’ to unify the planting with cool-toned foliage and year-round appeal.
Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Tolerant of drought once established. Shear back lightly after flowering to encourage rebloom and maintain a neat shape. Divide every 3–4 years in spring to refresh growth and extend plant life.
History: Nepeta ‘Kitten Around’ is a Proven Winners® selection developed for compact habit, early bloom, and extended flowering. It offers a modern take on the much-loved catmint with improved shape and non-invasive growth.
Final Thoughts: With its neat habit, fragrant foliage, and long season of bloom, Nepeta ‘Kitten Around’ brings a dose of cheerful calm to sunny borders—petite in size but big on charm.
