Nepeta clarkei

Nepeta clarkei

€5,90
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Nepeta clarkei
  • Nepeta clarkei
  • Nepeta clarkei
Nepeta clarkei

Nepeta clarkei

€5,90
Organic
Sustainable
Locally grown

Nepeta clarkei is a perennial that forms a lovely clump of leafy stems, which are covered in early summer with small, delicately blue and white flowers.

The flowers are more complex than the other Nepeta flowers - they are bicolored, a lavendar blue overall color exposes a soft white throat as the flower grows.

The leaves are similar to the rest of the Nepeta family - crinkled, grey-green leaves, aromatic when crushed.

The stems are square in section and hairy near the base.

This has given the whole genus the nickname "catnip," though the one with greater powers is the sister Nepeta cataria.

Discover more about gardening with Nepeta:
Flower Color: Blue

Preferred Soil Type: Humus-rich , Fertile, Well-drained

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade

Hardiness Zone: Zone 5: -28°C

Growth Habit: Compact, Upright

Origine: Pakistan, Kashmir, north-western India, and Tibet

🪴9x9 cm

🚂 Ships across EU

🌱 Grown in our nursery
€5,90
Gardening Tips

Himalayan Catmint, like other Nepeta species, is perfect for a low-maintenance garden that embraces nature.
☀️ Very hardy, this species enjoys sunlight but dislikes overly dry soils, making it a true mountain dweller.
✂️ Continuous blooming is encouraged by removing spent flowers.
🌱 Make sure your soil is well draining, because while catnip can handle drought and frost - it cannot handle soggy roots!
The Botany

Floral Morphology: Nepeta clarkei

The flowers of Nepeta clarkei grow in dense terminal spikes, forming a cloud of color at the stem tips.

Each flower is bilaterally symmetrical (zygomorphic), tubular, and approximately 1–2 cm long.

The corolla is two-lipped, with a short upper lip and a longer lower lip that acts as a landing platform for pollinators.

The four stamens are enclosed within the corolla tube, surrounding a single forked style.

Leaves are opposite, ovate to lanceolate, and lightly hairy, creating a soft, silvery-grey texture that enhances the plant’s visual appeal.

When brushed or crushed, the foliage releases a gentle aromatic scent, making it a delight for both the eyes and nose.

Reproductive Biology

Flowers are hermaphroditic, capable of self-pollination but naturally favoring cross-pollination by bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.

Fruits are small nutlets that can self-seed under ideal conditions, allowing the plant to naturalize slowly in suitable garden settings.

Blooming occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and deadheading may extend flowering slightly.

The flowers’ tubular structure and aromatic foliage make Nepeta clarkei particularly attractive to pollinators, adding both ecological and aesthetic value to the garden.

Ecology & Adaptations

Nepeta clarkei thrives in temperate and Mediterranean-style gardens, particularly in:

  • Borders and rockeries: Adds soft color and texture with low, compact foliage.
  • Pollinator-friendly beds: Produces abundant nectar for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
  • Sunny, well-drained sites: Full sun encourages prolific flowering and compact growth, while the plant tolerates poor soils.
The Myth

Nepeta clarkei's natural habitat consists of rocky slopes and open sunny areas along streams and lakes, at altitudes of up to 3000m.

Why is it called catnip? The nepetalactone contained in some species of the genus Nepeta binds to the olfactory receptors of cats, usually causing temporary euphoria that makes them roll and shudder with pure joy.

Other Names:

Himalayan Catmint

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