Intense periwinkle-blue flower spikes rise from the plant's base through the small, aromatic, bright green leaves in this more compact variety of its sibling, Nepeta 'Cat's Meow'.
‘Purrisan Blue’ has everything today’s gardeners are looking for: a low maintenance, drought tolerant, long blooming perennial that looks great all season. Unlike most Nepetas, that have a bit of a wild, unkempt look, this first class selection keeps its tidy, dense, rounded shape all season long.
Like ‘Cat’s Meow’, this selection shares an improved tidy habit, though it is a bit smaller and more compact in size overall. In its first year, ‘Purrsian Blue’ forms a small, perfectly rounded, densely branched clump of tiny, green leaves. In year two, the plant maintains its compact mounding habit but nearly doubles its spread to just over 60cm across.
This is a very floriferous selection whose flower power is amplified by having its flowers spaced closely together on the stems. Periwinkle blue flowers are coddled by dark purple calyxes just above the aromatic bright green foliage from early summer into early autumn.
Extra-long bloom time, ability to thrive in varying growing conditions, and smaller, compact mounding shape make Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue' a versatile addition to any landscape or outdoor space, particularly for gardeners who want greener foliage in a smaller form of Nepeta 'Cat's Meow' and a wider spread than 'Cat's Pajamas'. Include Nepeta in a herb garden, garden bed edging along sunny, cottage-style paths. Mass-plant on a slope for good-looking, low-maintenance erosion control. Add to a rock garden for a mid or foreground focal point. Gardeners in colder regions who love the look of lavender but can't grow it in their climate find that Nepetas are perfect substitutes.
Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue' also looks great in pots on its own or when underplanted in large combination plantings of similarly dry-tolerant plants.
Nepeta flowers best in full sun to part shade, and grows readily in most soil types, including rocky or clay soil. In fact, overfeeding stresses Nepeta and causes the stems to flop, so average to poor soils are preferred. When planting in containers, use a high-quality potting mix to ensure good drainage and do not apply additional fertiliser.
Water regularly until established. Apart from prolonged dry spells or heat waves, catmint needs little to no supplemental water.
Shearing the plant back in early springtime will promote more compact growth throughout the season. After the first flush of flowering, we recommend cutting catmint back by half to stimulate a second bloom cycle to prolong the colour display.
When Nepeta's stems are broken, they release an aroma into the air that tends to attract cats, thus its common name, Catmint.
Wear gloves & wash hands after gardening.
