Short-stalked Catmint is a compact Japanese alpine variety that brings refined elegance to perennial beds with its dense spikes of true blue, trumpet-shaped flowers rising from aromatic foliage. Unlike many catmints bred for drought tolerance, this botanical variety actually thrives in cool, moist soils and performs best with moderate water and afternoon shade in warm climates. Hardy in zones 4 through 8, it grows as a neat mound 18 to 24 inches tall, blooming prolifically from May through September with fragrant, showy flowers that seem to float above square, leafy stems.
24
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-8
24in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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This variety's true blue flowers arrive in dense false whorls along square stems clad with aromatic, toothed green foliage, creating a textured, cottage-garden presence. The flowers reach 2 inches long and bloom continuously through the entire summer season when deadheaded. Unlike other nepetas, this one actually prefers moist conditions and performs best when given afternoon shade in the deep South or full sun in northern gardens, making it more particular but rewarding for those who honor its Japanese mountain heritage.
Short-stalked Catmint functions beautifully in rain gardens where its moderate water needs align perfectly with seasonal moisture availability. The aromatic foliage and long bloom period also attract pollinators, making it valuable in mixed perennial borders and cutting gardens for fresh summer arrangements. While less intensely attractive to cats than true catnip (Nepeta cataria), its leaves still appeal to felines, adding another dimension to gardens designed with cats in mind.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors in spring at temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date, hardening off gradually over 7 to 10 days before moving to their permanent location.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to accommodate their mature width. In northern areas, choose a full-sun location; in warmer regions, provide afternoon shade.
Cut plants back before their first flowering to encourage a more compact mound form. Shear flower spikes after initial flowering to extend the bloom period and promote continued flowering throughout the summer. This low-maintenance perennial requires no other regular pruning.
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“Nepeta subsessilis var. sensibilis hails from the moist mountain slopes of Japan, where the species evolved in cool, high-altitude conditions that shaped its preference for consistent moisture and dappled light. This botanical variety represents a selection refined from the larger species, prioritizing compact growth and prolific flowering over the drought tolerance bred into most commercial catmint cultivars. Its availability to Western gardeners reflects both Japanese horticultural tradition and modern appreciation for regionally adapted perennials that thrive when grown according to their native habitat rather than forced into generic Mediterranean-style conditions.”