Catmint

Catmint

Common name: Catmint, catnip

Scientific name: Nepeta spp.

Family: Mint, Lamiaceae

Bloom period: May through early fall

What to look for: Soft lavender colored, showy, abundant, two-lipped, trumpet-shaped flowers in clusters on upright stems.

Where to see it: Catmint is in the building 1 garden near the building wall.

Benefit to pollinators: Nepeta species are used as food plants by the larvae of some butterfly and moth species and as nectar sources for pollinators, such as honeybees, bumble bees, other bees, and hummingbirds. Catmint also helps deter pests like aphids and squashbugs.

More info: In addition to its benefits to pollinators and its ability to send cats to crazy town, catmint has a long history as an important plant in herbal medicine. It’s used as a cold remedy, helpful for feverish conditions; to ease stomach upset; and as a nervine (relaxant). Modern studies indicate that Nepeta species may offer many other benefits, including as antimicrobials and insect repellents.