Catmint Nepeta 'Blue Dragon'
ABOUT
Nepeta 'Blue Dragon', also commonly known as Catmint, boasts an attractive appearance characterized by its lush mound of aromatic foliage and prominent flowering display. The leaves exhibit a soft, grayish-green color, typically taking on a heart shape with subtly scalloped edges. Texturally, they are slightly fuzzy to the touch, which adds to the plant's sensory appeal. Adding to its charm, Catmint 'Blue Dragon' presents a generous profusion of flowers. The blossoms are small, tubular, and present a vivid lavender-blue hue that stands out against the foliage. They cluster densely on spiky inflorescences, creating a striking visual impact that can draw numerous pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and occasionally hummingbirds. The overall growth habit of Catmint 'Blue Dragon' is neat and rounded, lending itself well to use in garden beds and borders. When in full bloom, the plant radiates vibrant color and texture, contributing to a lively and enchanting garden aesthetic. Its ability to provide long-lasting blooms adds to the ornamental value, offering visual interest through a significant portion of the growing season. Additionally, the plant's aromatic quality can be released when the foliage is disturbed, making it a delight not only to the eyes but also to the sense of smell.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Blue Dragon Catmint, Blue Dragon Nepeta
Common names
Nepeta 'Blue Dragon'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Nepeta 'Blue Dragon', commonly known as Catmint, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. It does not typically pose a serious hazard if ingested in small quantities. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities could occur, leading to mild gastrointestinal upset or skin irritation.
To pets
The Nepeta 'Blue Dragon', commonly known as Catmint, is known to be safe for most pets. While Catmint is in the same family as Catnip, which is famous for its stimulating effect on cats, it is not toxic and should not cause harm if your pet ingests it. Some cats may exhibit mild excitement or euphoria if they interact with the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
2 feet 0.61 meters
Spread
2 feet 0.61 meters
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Nepeta 'Blue Dragon' is known to attract bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, this plant has a high tolerance to dry conditions, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Low Maintenance: This variety requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance landscape.
- Herbal Fragrance: The leaves emit a pleasant, minty fragrance when brushed against or crushed, contributing to sensory garden experiences.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its vibrant blue-violet flowers, Nepeta 'Blue Dragon' provides striking visual interest and can be used in perennial borders or as a bedding plant.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: The plant is generally resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits, reducing the need for protective measures.
- Erosion Control: The plant's root system can help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in areas prone to soil loss.
- Long Blooming Period: It blooms for an extended period, often from late spring to early fall, providing long-lasting color in the garden.
- Easy to Propagate: Nepeta 'Blue Dragon' can easily be propagated through division or cuttings, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings without additional cost.
- Creates Structure in Garden Design: Its mounded growth habit can provide form and structure to garden beds and borders.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Nepeta 'Blue Dragon', commonly known as Catmint, can be used as a natural insect repellent in gardens due to its strong scent which is undesirable to many insect pests.
- When planted along borders or pathways, Catmint provides a beautiful and low-maintenance edge that helps define garden spaces while offering a splash of color.
- It can be dried and used in potpourri mixtures, adding a pleasant fragrance to indoor spaces.
- Catmint can be used in cut flower arrangements for its interesting texture and color, adding diversity to bouquets.
- As a companion plant, Catmint may deter some pests from more sensitive crops or ornamentals in a garden.
- It can be incorporated into container gardens, where its draping foliage and flowers can soften edges and add visual interest.
- Catmint's robust growth can be used to quickly fill in bare spots in a garden, helping to prevent soil erosion in those areas.
- It can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, though this is not a common practice, potentially imparting a soft green or yellow hue.
- Gardeners might use Catmint to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can help improve the pollination of nearby plants.
- Lastly, Catmint can be used in themed gardens, such as a sensory or moon garden, where its silver foliage and pale blue flowers stand out in the moonlight, and its scent adds to the sensory experience.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiCatmint is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityCatmint is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Relaxation: Nepeta, commonly known as Catmint, often symbolizes relaxation due to its calming effect on cats and sometimes on humans as well, similar to how catnip affects felines.
- Peace: The soothing blue hues of the 'Blue Dragon' variety can evoke a sense of peace and tranquility, making it a symbol for serene environments.
- Happiness: Catmint is often associated with happiness as it can induce playful behavior and joy in cats, which can be a pleasant sight for cat owners.
- Affection: As cats are drawn to this plant, Nepeta 'Blue Dragon' may represent the affection between pets and their owners or affection in general.
- Playfulness: Catmint is known for stimulating cats and making them frisky, representing playfulness and fun.
- Healing: The Nepeta genus has been used in traditional herbal remedies for its potential health benefits, symbolizing healing and well-being.
WaterFor the Catmint 'Blue Dragon', it's essential to provide consistent moisture, especially during hot and dry periods. Water deeply once a week, providing about 1-2 inches of water to the base of the plant. It’s better to water this perennial in the morning, which allows the foliage to dry off during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases that thrive in damp conditions. During the cooler months, reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture. Always check the top inch of the soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water again. Avoid overhead watering to protect the leaves and flowers from excessive moisture.
LightCatmint 'Blue Dragon' thrives best in full sun conditions, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal spot would be an open area that receives unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. However, it can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates where it may benefit from protection during the peak afternoon sun.
TemperatureCatmint 'Blue Dragon' is adaptable to a range of temperature conditions and is quite hardy. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around -30 degrees Fahrenheit, but it grows best in temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing the plant to temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods to prevent stress and wilting.
PruningPruning Catmint 'Blue Dragon' helps maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and prolong its blooming period. Prune in the early spring to remove any dead or damaged stems and again after the first bloom to encourage a second wave of flowers. Deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, can be done throughout the blooming season to keep the plant looking tidy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for the catmint 'Blue Dragon' should be well-draining and loose, with plenty of organic matter to retain moisture without becoming waterlogged. A mixture of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or coarse sand in equal parts works well. The plant prefers a soil pH that is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingCatmint 'Blue Dragon' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. Repotting is best done in the spring before the growing season starts.
Humidity & MistingCatmint 'Blue Dragon' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but thrives best in moderate humidity conditions. It does not require any special humidity adjustments when grown outdoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep in bright, indirect light and maintain moderate humidity indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade in well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of 'Blue Dragon' Catmint (Nepeta 'Blue Dragon') begins with seed germination, typically in early spring under appropriate temperatures and soil conditions. After germination, the seedlings grow rapidly, developing a rosette of leaves at the soil level. As the plant matures, it develops sturdy stems and a bushy form, with distinctive gray-green, aromatic foliage. By late spring to early summer, 'Blue Dragon' Catmint enters its flowering stage, producing spikes of deep violet-blue flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. After the blooming period, if the flowers are not deadheaded, they will set seed, completing the reproductive cycle. In the late fall or with the onset of cold weather, 'Blue Dragon' Catmint becomes dormant, with the aerial parts dying back, and then it overwinters as a root system to start the cycle anew with the return of warmer weather.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The best time to propagate Nepeta 'Blue Dragon', commonly known as Catmint, is during the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method of propagation for Catmint is by taking stem cuttings. To do this, one should select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 4 to 6 inch (about 10 to 15 cm) piece. The lower leaves should be removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting should then be placed in a pot with well-draining soil, ensuring that the soil is kept moist but not waterlogged. In a few weeks, the cutting should develop roots and can eventually be transplanted into the garden or a larger pot.
