Catmint Nepeta 'Joanna Reed'
ABOUT
The plant known commonly as Catmint 'Joanna Reed' features a lush, herbaceous growth habit with soft, fragrant foliage. The leaves are typically grayish-green and have a fine, delicate texture, often with a slightly fuzzy or hairy surface which is characteristic of many members of its family. This provides a soft appearance that can add a sense of lightness to the garden. Its blooms are quite striking and are one of the reasons for its popularity as an ornamental plant. The flowers are small but numerous, usually taking on a tubular shape and are most often found in shades of violet or lavender, though they can sometimes have a more blueish tinge. These blooms grow in whorls on spiky inflorescences that rise above the foliage and create a pleasing visual contrast with their vertical orientation. The overall form of the plant is generally mounded, with stems that are both erect and sprawling. They tend to extend outward and downward, lending the plant a casual, sprawling look that works well in a variety of garden settings. Its growth habit makes it suitable for borders, as it fills in spaces and blends seamlessly with other plants, while also providing a colorful long-lasting display throughout its blooming season. The texture and color of the Catmint 'Joanna Reed', coupled with its floral abundance, contribute to a garden's sensory experience, adding both visual appeal and a pleasant aroma that is particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, making it not only a beautiful plant choice for gardeners but also a beneficial one for pollinators.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Catmint.
Common names
Nepeta 'Joanna Reed'.
ToxicityTo humans
Nepeta 'Joanna Reed' is a cultivar of catmint. Catmint is not toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant typically does not lead to poisoning or adverse effects, and it is often used in gardens for its aromatic leaves and attractiveness to beneficial insects.
To pets
Nepeta 'Joanna Reed' is a variety of catmint. Catmint is generally safe for pets, including cats and dogs. It is known especially for its effect on cats, which may react to it by becoming more playful or excited due to the compound nepetalactone. This reaction is not harmful and does not equate to poisoning. There are typically no adverse consequences of pets ingesting this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Nepeta 'Joanna Reed', commonly known as catmint, is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, catmint is quite drought tolerant, making it a good choice for water-wise landscapes.
- Easy to Grow: Catmint is known for being a hardy plant that is easy to grow, requiring minimal care and adapting well to a range of conditions.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage, catmint can add color and fragrance to garden beds and borders.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: The aromatic nature of catmint's foliage generally makes it unappealing to deer and rabbits, helping to protect your garden from these herbivores.
- Long Blooming Period: Catmint typically has a long blooming season, providing color and interest in the garden from late spring throughout summer.
- Versatile Uses: It can be used as a border plant, ground cover, or in rock gardens, and provides a beautiful backdrop for other plants.
- Makes Good Cut Flowers: The flowers of catmint can be used in floral arrangements, adding a lovely scent and delicate look to bouquets.
- Herb Garden Addition: Catmint can be a part of an herb garden, as it has some culinary uses and benefits for a variety of recipes.
- Low Maintenance: Catmint generally requires little maintenance beyond occasional trimming to keep it looking tidy and to promote continual bloom.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Catnip 'Joanna Reed' can be used as a natural insect repellent when its leaves are crushed and rubbed on the skin, due to the nepetalactone compound it contains.
- The dried leaves and flowers of the plant can be sewn into small sachets and placed in drawers or closets to impart a pleasant fragrance and potentially deter moths.
- It can serve as companion planting in the garden to attract beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybugs that prey on pests.
- Gardeners may use the tall, bushy growth of Catnip 'Joanna Reed' to provide structure and height in ornamental planting schemes.
- The plant's ability to tolerate drought makes it a suitable candidate for xeriscaping, a landscaping method that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation.
- Catnip 'Joanna Reed' can be used in cut flower arrangements due to its attractive spikes of lavender-colored blooms and long vase life.
- The plant can be used in educational settings to demonstrate plant-insect interactions, particularly how certain compounds can attract or repel insects.
- Photographers and nature enthusiasts might utilize Catnip 'Joanna Reed' in their gardens to attract and photograph butterflies and bees.
- Homebrewers may experiment with the herbaceous flavors of Catnip 'Joanna Reed' in crafting unique beers or other fermented beverages.
- The strong, aromatic foliage of the plant can be used in potpourris to create natural, chemical-free home scents.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Catmint is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Catmint is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Relaxation: Nepeta, commonly known as Catmint, is often associated with its calming and relaxing properties, especially as an herb that can soothe nerves or aid in sleep.
- Playfulness: Catmint is known for attracting cats and making them exhibit playful behavior, which symbolizes joy and playfulness.
- Protection: In traditional herb lore, Catmint was used to ward off evil spirits, so it can symbolize protection and safety.
- Healing: Due to its medicinal qualities, traditionally used for digestive issues, headaches, and more, Catmint represents healing and wellness.
WaterCatmint, including the Nepeta 'Joanna Reed' variety, prefers to be watered once the soil starts to dry out, which typically means watering once every week to two weeks, depending on weather conditions. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to provide a deep watering, encouraging the roots to grow deeply. Each watering session should include about 1 inch of water, which roughly translates to about 0.623 gallons per square foot. During hot, dry periods, watch for signs of wilt and increase watering frequency as needed. Always check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering.
LightCatmint thrives in full sun to partial shade, so the Nepeta 'Joanna Reed' will do best in a location where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. An ideal spot would be in a south-facing garden or any area that is exposed to the sun for the majority of the day. Avoid deep shade as it can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers.
TemperatureCatmint, including the Nepeta 'Joanna Reed', can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but grows best when daytime temperatures are between 60 and 70°F. However, the plant can survive in temperatures as low as -30°F once established and can tolerate highs up to around 90°F. It's a hardy, adaptable perennial that can withstand the temperature fluctuations of temperate climates quite well.
PruningPruning catmint, including Nepeta 'Joanna Reed', encourages bushier growth and can lead to a second flush of flowers. Prune or shear back the plant by one-third after the initial flowering to maintain its shape and promote more blooms. The best time for pruning is mid-summer, after the first bloom period has ended. It’s also beneficial to cut back the entire plant in late fall or early spring to tidy up the foliage.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCatmint 'Joanna Reed' thrives best in well-draining soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite is ideal, ensuring good drainage and aeration. Avoid heavy, wet soils to prevent root rot.
RepottingCatmint 'Joanna Reed' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and provide room for growth. Spring is the best time for repotting, just before the new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingCatmint 'Joanna Reed' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average outdoor humidity conditions. It does not require any special humidity adjustments when grown outdoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure plenty of sunlight and good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, and space plants apart.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleNepeta 'Joanna Reed', commonly known as catmint, begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically in the spring when soil temperatures warm up. After germination, the plant enters a vegetative stage where it focuses on leaf and stem growth, developing a compact, bushy form. As it matures, catmint enters the flowering stage in late spring to early summer, producing spikes of lavender-blue flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. After pollination, the plant produces seeds, which can be dispersed by wind or animals to propagate new plants. The plant then goes into a period of senescence in late fall or early winter, with foliage dying back after the first frost in colder climates. Some catmint varieties, including Nepeta 'Joanna Reed', are perennials and will re-emerge from their root systems to start a new growth cycle the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Nepeta 'Joanna Reed', commonly known as a type of Catmint, can be propagated by cuttings, which is the most popular method. To propagate Catmint by cuttings, take stem cuttings from new growth in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be about 3 to 4 inches long. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder. Then, insert the cuttings into a mixture of perlite and peat or a potting mix, ensuring that the nodes where the leaves were removed are below the surface. The cuttings should be kept moist and in indirect light until they root, which usually takes a few weeks. Once rooted, the cuttings can be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden.
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