I generally try to be whimsical and chirpy about approaching my computer each week to compose something that will, hopefully, be remotely informative and mildly entertaining. I’m finding that I really need the human equivalent of catmint; something that will instill euphoria and just make everything right in the world.
Sigh.
Since I’ve not found that human equivalent, catmint and a couple of other cool plants are the order of the day. Catmint, obviously, is a member of the mint family and has a lovely lemony-mint flavor. My girls love to crush a few leaves in the bottom of a glass before pouring in the ice and lemonade. It’s easy to grow both for your kitties and for tea or other beverages for you.
This is a strong smelling herb with clusters of purplish-blue flowers loved by honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Oh, yeah…and cats. Historically, the medicinal effects of catmint have been recorded as great for treating colic or other tummy upsets and cold symptoms. Naturally, many of the supposed treatments have been dismissed, although it’s astringency and antioxidant qualities are documented.
In 2007, Faassen’s Catmint “Walker’s Low” was chosen as the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial of the Year. This variety is slightly more compact than other catmints and much less floppy. It is drought tolerant and, since it is – after all – a mint, can creep through its area if you don’t keep an eye on it.
Catmint literally “billows” when it grows. It’s nice to have at the bottoms of roses, hollyhocks or even peonies to hide their “knees”. It’s a great border plant, lovely cascading over a wall and makes a nice substitute for lavender.
There are two schools of thought on the best way to propagate catmint. Our fabulous friends at the Master Gardeners swear by propagation via seed. They say if you bring the plants into your yard and crush so little as one leaf getting them planted, you will attract every cat in the neighborhood. Seed is the way to go, they say. Established plants can be propagated by division of the root ball. Remember to allow for plenty of space.
There’s a cute little rhyme for catmint:
“If you set it, the cats will eat it,
If you sow it, the cats don’t know it.”
Either way, it’s a nice addition to any home garden.
Catmint is easy to grow in either sun or partial shade and has few to no pests or other issues. Catmint is deer resistant. It likes well drained soil that is not too rich. Fertilizer is not generally needed, unless your soil is really bereft of nutrients. Maybe a little at planting and then a couple times a year for maximum growth. Periodically pinch back the shoots of your catmint to help make them bushy. First bloom should be around mid-summer at which time you can harvest the leaves for tea or cat toys. You can probably expect three harvests a year, and the honeybees will love you for growing it. Harvest the leaves as the flowers begin to bloom. You can cut off the leaves, stems and flowers for use fresh, dried or frozen.
Some nice varieties to try are ‘Felix’, ‘Six Hills Giant’, ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Walker’s Low’. Catmint is beautiful when combined with the yellow and pinks of daylilies or yarrow.
Another plant that looks especially nice planted with catmint is Lamb’s Ears. The fuzzy, silver green foliage – soft as suede – are a nice counter to the brighter greens. They flower on tall spikes, pinkish-purple or white, in the late spring and early summer. Some folks like the flowers and others cut them off because they want that soft and fuzzy foliage more than blooms. As with catmint, bees love the blooms of the Lamb’s Ear. They look best as a rambling ground cover or border plant. You will have to do some maintenance to keep them from creeping out of their area. Lamb’s Ears self-seed like nobody’s business, and in some areas can be invasive and hard to get rid of.
Astilbes or Meadowsweet (love that name!) are very cool, plume-like bloomers that are noted for their long flowering quality. One of the easiest perennials to grow, Meadowsweet gives a very high return with their white, pink and red blooms. A pest free perennial, they offer color that pops to the shadier areas of your garden and do very well in containers. Their foliage is rather fern-like and the feathery blooms are on stalks above the foliage. The bloom cycle will last several weeks and the colors will slowly fade as the blooms dry. They prefer partial shade, but can do full sun with lots of water. They also like a richer soil. Meadowsweet is generally trouble free and not bothered by disease or insect pests. Cut these back in the spring or if the stalks fall over. They should be divided and shared amongst your friends every four to five years. Some varieties to consider: ‘Bridal Veil’, 3’ tall with full white plumes, ‘Purple Candles’, 3’-4’ tall with glorious purple plumes, ‘Fanal’, 1-1/2’ to 2’ tall with crimson flowers and bronze foliage, and ‘Rheinland’, 2’-2-1/2’ feet tall with rich pink blooms.
Well, I feel better now. I’m heading out to the garden. How about you?
Sigh.
Since I’ve not found that human equivalent, catmint and a couple of other cool plants are the order of the day. Catmint, obviously, is a member of the mint family and has a lovely lemony-mint flavor. My girls love to crush a few leaves in the bottom of a glass before pouring in the ice and lemonade. It’s easy to grow both for your kitties and for tea or other beverages for you.
This is a strong smelling herb with clusters of purplish-blue flowers loved by honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Oh, yeah…and cats. Historically, the medicinal effects of catmint have been recorded as great for treating colic or other tummy upsets and cold symptoms. Naturally, many of the supposed treatments have been dismissed, although it’s astringency and antioxidant qualities are documented.
In 2007, Faassen’s Catmint “Walker’s Low” was chosen as the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial of the Year. This variety is slightly more compact than other catmints and much less floppy. It is drought tolerant and, since it is – after all – a mint, can creep through its area if you don’t keep an eye on it.
Catmint literally “billows” when it grows. It’s nice to have at the bottoms of roses, hollyhocks or even peonies to hide their “knees”. It’s a great border plant, lovely cascading over a wall and makes a nice substitute for lavender.
There are two schools of thought on the best way to propagate catmint. Our fabulous friends at the Master Gardeners swear by propagation via seed. They say if you bring the plants into your yard and crush so little as one leaf getting them planted, you will attract every cat in the neighborhood. Seed is the way to go, they say. Established plants can be propagated by division of the root ball. Remember to allow for plenty of space.
There’s a cute little rhyme for catmint:
“If you set it, the cats will eat it,
If you sow it, the cats don’t know it.”
Either way, it’s a nice addition to any home garden.
Catmint is easy to grow in either sun or partial shade and has few to no pests or other issues. Catmint is deer resistant. It likes well drained soil that is not too rich. Fertilizer is not generally needed, unless your soil is really bereft of nutrients. Maybe a little at planting and then a couple times a year for maximum growth. Periodically pinch back the shoots of your catmint to help make them bushy. First bloom should be around mid-summer at which time you can harvest the leaves for tea or cat toys. You can probably expect three harvests a year, and the honeybees will love you for growing it. Harvest the leaves as the flowers begin to bloom. You can cut off the leaves, stems and flowers for use fresh, dried or frozen.
Some nice varieties to try are ‘Felix’, ‘Six Hills Giant’, ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Walker’s Low’. Catmint is beautiful when combined with the yellow and pinks of daylilies or yarrow.
Another plant that looks especially nice planted with catmint is Lamb’s Ears. The fuzzy, silver green foliage – soft as suede – are a nice counter to the brighter greens. They flower on tall spikes, pinkish-purple or white, in the late spring and early summer. Some folks like the flowers and others cut them off because they want that soft and fuzzy foliage more than blooms. As with catmint, bees love the blooms of the Lamb’s Ear. They look best as a rambling ground cover or border plant. You will have to do some maintenance to keep them from creeping out of their area. Lamb’s Ears self-seed like nobody’s business, and in some areas can be invasive and hard to get rid of.
Astilbes or Meadowsweet (love that name!) are very cool, plume-like bloomers that are noted for their long flowering quality. One of the easiest perennials to grow, Meadowsweet gives a very high return with their white, pink and red blooms. A pest free perennial, they offer color that pops to the shadier areas of your garden and do very well in containers. Their foliage is rather fern-like and the feathery blooms are on stalks above the foliage. The bloom cycle will last several weeks and the colors will slowly fade as the blooms dry. They prefer partial shade, but can do full sun with lots of water. They also like a richer soil. Meadowsweet is generally trouble free and not bothered by disease or insect pests. Cut these back in the spring or if the stalks fall over. They should be divided and shared amongst your friends every four to five years. Some varieties to consider: ‘Bridal Veil’, 3’ tall with full white plumes, ‘Purple Candles’, 3’-4’ tall with glorious purple plumes, ‘Fanal’, 1-1/2’ to 2’ tall with crimson flowers and bronze foliage, and ‘Rheinland’, 2’-2-1/2’ feet tall with rich pink blooms.
Well, I feel better now. I’m heading out to the garden. How about you?
No comments:
Post a Comment