Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii 'Kitten Around')

Overview

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ is a highly desirable, compact cultivar of hybrid Catmint, prized for its extended bloom period and easy-going nature. This herbaceous perennial rewards gardeners with showy, fragrant blue-purple flowers from late spring right through early autumn. Growing successfully across USDA Zones 3 through 8, it offers reliable texture and color for a variety of landscape settings.

As a sterile hybrid derived from crossing N. Racemosa and N. Nepetella, Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ provides great performance without the nuisance of self-seeding. Its appealing gray-green foliage complements the abundant blooms, creating a soft mound perfect for edging pathways or softening taller plantings. This specific selection maintains a tidy, rounded habit, making it an increasingly popular choice over larger, floppier varieties of Catmint.

This resilient plant is remarkably low-maintenance, thriving in average soils provided they drain well. Its deer resistance and tolerance for dry conditions further contribute to its utility in modern, resource-conscious gardening schemes. Enjoying full sun but tolerating light afternoon shade, Catmint is a cornerstone for gardeners seeking long-lasting visual impact with minimal effort.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Lamiaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-1.25 ft
  • Spread: 1.75-2 ft
• Bloom Time: May to September
• Bloom Description: Blue-purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Dry to medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ is best accomplished in spring or fall, ensuring ample time for root establishment before extreme temperatures hit. This Catmint variety thrives in average, well-drained soils. While it prefers dry to medium moisture levels once established, realize that plants are not as drought tolerant as some other Nepeta species, benefiting from consistent moisture during intense heat. In northern climates, prioritize planting in full sun to maximize flowering. Conversely, in the deep South, provide light afternoon shade to prevent scorching.

Care for this low-maintenance perennial is quite simple. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to lush, floppy growth at the expense of blooms. Water moderately, especially when young, allowing the soil to dry slightly between irrigation sessions—a sign of its preference for dry soil conditions. Deadheading or shearing the flower spikes immediately after the first flush of bloom dramatically prompts the plant to produce more flowers, extending the visual appeal well into September.

Seasonal upkeep is minimal for this tough perennial. Plants may be cut back severely before the first major flowering to encourage a significantly more compact size, a useful technique for maintaining neat border lines. After the main summer show subsides, a good shearing of spent spikes keeps it looking tidy. It requires little special attention for winterizing, generally handling cold zones well, making the cleanup task light in early spring.

Landscape Uses

The compact nature of Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ makes it exceptionally versatile in landscape design. It shines when used along border fronts, providing a tidy, colorful edge that never overwhelms adjacent plantings. Its trailing yet mounded habit is perfect for rock gardens, spilling softly over stones, or softening the hard lines of retaining walls.

This variety functions beautifully as a small-scale ground cover or for edging garden beds, offering reliable, low-lying structure throughout the season. Furthermore, the aromatic foliage makes it a wonderful addition to herb gardens where its texture and scent can be appreciated up close. Because this Catmint appreciates dry conditions, it integrates perfectly into xeriscaping or dry areas of the garden where thirsty companions would struggle.

Consider pairing this bright blue-purple flowering perennial with silvery foliage plants, white or yellow daisies, or even the deep greens of hostas for excellent contrast. Its low height ensures that taller border subjects remain visible, while its hardiness allows it to handle the tough spots containers often present.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant

Noteworthy Characteristics

Nepeta × faassenii is a sterile hybrid (N. Racemosa × N. Nepetella) perennial Catmint of horticultural origin. It typically forms a spreading clump with highly aromatic, gray-green leaves and lavender-blue flowers. ‘Kitten Around’ is a specific selection resulting from this cross, notable for its compact, rounded habit, reaching only about 14” tall with a 22” spread, complemented by bright blue-purple blooms. This plant is protected by patent number PP30940.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Dry Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil

Potential Problems

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ rarely suffers from serious insect infestations or debilitating diseases, making it a low-worry addition to any planting scheme. One significant practical benefit is that deer typically avoid this aromatic foliage. The primary management concern is encouraging tight, non-floppy growth; overfeeding, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizers, can result in plants that sprawl outwards rather than maintaining their desired compact shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Catmint suitable for?

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ Catmint is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 8, allowing for placement throughout much of the temperate United States.

How large does Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ grow?

Mature specimens typically achieve a compact, rounded habit, reaching between 1 and 1.25 feet in height and spreading between 1.75 and 2 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Catmint need?

This variety performs best in full sun but is adaptable enough to tolerate areas that receive some light afternoon shade, particularly in hotter regions.

When does Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ bloom?

Catmint begins flowering reliably in May and continues blooming vigorously until September, especially if the spent spikes are sheared back mid-season.

Conclusion

The combination of extreme longevity, deer resistance, extended bloom time, and low maintenance makes Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ an invaluable asset for sunny border plantings and tough garden spots. Keep an eye on soil moisture in the hottest parts of the summer, and remember that shearing promotes the best rebloom for your Catmint. Check your USDA zone compatibility before planting this season.

Companion Planting

When selecting partners for Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’, focus on plants that share similar requirements for sun exposure and dry to medium moisture. Excellent companions include drought-tolerant sages (Salvia species), structural lavender (Lavandula), and ornamental grasses that enjoy sharp drainage. Pairing the soft, mounding form of Catmint with upright, spiky plants like Speedwell (Veronica) or taller ornamental Alliums creates dynamic visual contrast in cottage or mixed borders.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Early spring is the ideal time to refresh your Catmint by cutting back any lingering winter debris and promoting fresh vegetative growth. During the peak growing season (early summer through mid-summer), regular deadheading or shearing immediately after the first major wave of blue-purple flowers fades will encourage robust repeat blooming. If growth appears leggy during the hottest part of summer, a mid-season haircut will help Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ retain its desirable compact form right through the fall display.