Nepeta Six Hills Giant (Catmint)

Very free flowering and one of the tallest, Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (Catmint) is a vigorous herbaceous perennial noted for its billowing, aromatic, gray-green foliage that is topped with 9-12 in. spikes (22-30 cm) of rich violet-blue flowers in early summer with repeat blooms throughout the growing season.

Very free flowering and one of the tallest, Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint) is a vigorous herbaceous perennial noted for its billowing, aromatic, gray-green foliage that is topped with 9-12 in. spikes (22-30 cm) of rich violet-blue flowers in early summer with repeat blooms throughout the growing season. Although the stems are 2-3 ft long (60-90 cm), the arching habit of this Nepeta brings the height down to 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm). Plant large drifts of Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' along a walkway to create a garden space that overflows with color and enjoy its lemon scent when bruised!

  • Typically grows in spreading clumps, up to 24-36 inches tall (60-90 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
  • Performs best in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Moist soils are preferred as this Nepeta is not as drought tolerant as other Nepetas. Provide light afternoon shade in warm summer areas.
  • A remarkably low-maintenance plant, this excellent performer is highly versatile and can be used in many situations: beds and borders, in gravel gardens, cottage gardens, and wildlife gardens. It is also great for edging beds, spilling over walls, or along paths. Nepeta is perfect for underplanting roses as the colors complement each other and the foliage hides the bare feet of the rose bushes.
  • Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, but is ignored by deer and rabbits.
  • Extremely easy growing plant with few pests or problems. Watch for leafhoppers or powdery mildew
  • May be cut back before first flowering to promote a more compact size. Shear flower spikes after flowering to encourage a second flowering. Best propagated by division in spring or fall.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 8

Heat Zones 1
– 8

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Nepeta – Catmints
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 24″
– 36″
(60cm
– 90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow