Nepeta cataria 'Nova Blue'

Common Name:
Catmint ‘Nova Blue’

Description:
Nepeta cataria ‘Nova Blue’ is a compact, aromatic perennial prized for its masses of soft violet-blue flower spikes and silvery-green foliage. Flowering generously from spring through summer and often into autumn in Melbourne’s temperate climate, it provides a long-lasting display of colour while attracting bees and other beneficial pollinators. The fine-textured foliage releases a pleasant herbal fragrance when brushed against and forms a neat, mounding habit that works beautifully at the front of borders, along pathways, or spilling from decorative pots. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, ‘Nova Blue’ is drought tolerant once established and performs reliably through Melbourne’s warmer months. Light pruning after the first flush of flowers will encourage repeat blooming and maintain a compact, tidy shape. Its soft colouring pairs effortlessly with roses, salvias, and ornamental grasses, making it a versatile addition to cottage and contemporary gardens alike.

Form:
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 40–60 cm
Width: 50–70 cm

Aspect:
Full Sun

Flowering:
Flowers in Spring
Flowers in Summer
Flowers in Autumn

Flower Colour:
Violet-blue
Soft blue

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Pots
Bee Attracting
Herbaceous
Perennial
Drought Tolerant once established
Long Flowering Season
Low Maintenance
Suitable for Cottage Gardens

Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets, though it may stimulate playful behaviour in cats if ingested.

Companion Plants:
Roses
Salvia
Lavender
Achillea
Ornamental Grasses

For more information and photos of this species, Warners Nursery has detailed information available to the public here