Common Name: nepeta
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.50 feet
Bloom Time: May to September
Bloom Description: Periwinkle blue with dark purple calyces
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Fragrant
Tolerate: Deer, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil, Air Pollution
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers cool, moist soils. Plants are not as drought tolerant as many of the other Nepetas. In northern areas, site plants in full sun. In the deep South, site plants in areas with some light afternoon shade. Plants may be cut back before first flowering to promote more compact size. Shear flower spikes after initial flowering to promote continued bloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Nepeta × faassenii is a sterile hybrid (N. racemosa × N. nepetella) perennial catmint of horticultural origin (Dutch nursery of J. H. Faassen). It typically forms a spreading clump of decumbent, ascending and upright stems rising to 18-24” tall and spreading to as much as 36” wide. Gray-green leaves and lavender-blue flowers are highly aromatic.
Genus name comes from the Latin name for certain aromatic plants that included catmint. It may honor the city of Nepete (known as Nepi today) located north of Rome in Etruria which was the ancient country located between the Arno and Tiber Rivers and was recognized, prior to the rise of Rome, as the center of the Etruscan civilization.
Specific epithet is in reference to the Dutch nursery of J. H. Faassen.
‘Purrsian Blue’ was bred by Kevin Hurd and Walter’s Garden, Inc. and introduced by Walter’s Gardens in 2013. Resulting from a cross between seed parent Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ and pollen parent Nepeta ‘Eldean’, it has a low compact habit growing 1 to 1.5' in height and will double in width its second season to 1.5 to 2.5' across. It has small serrate leaves and its flowers are sky-blue with smoky purple calyces. Similar in appearance to Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low'. U.S. Plant Patent #PP24,788 issued August 19, 2014.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Rock gardens, border fronts, cottage gardens or herb gardens. Also a good plant for edging or small scale ground cover. Good for dry areas. Containers.