Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Cat' (Garden catmint 'Kit Cat')

Botanical name

Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Cat'

Other names

Garden catmint 'Kit Cat', Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Kat', Nepeta 'Kitkat', Mirrinminttu 'Kit Cat', Faassen's catmint 'Kit Cat', Nepeta 'Kit Cat'

Genus

Nepeta Nepeta

Variety or Cultivar

'Kit Cat' _ 'Kit Cat' is a compact, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with small, hairy, aromatic, grey-green leaves and numerous, erect spikes of lavender-blue flowers from early summer to early autumn.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

The leaves have a sweet aromatic fragrance when crushed.

Habit

Clump-forming, Spreading

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Colour

Flower

Lavender, Blue in Summer; Lavender, Blue in Autumn

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Leafhoppers

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Cut back flowering to maintain a compact shape and to encourage a second flush of flowers.

Propagation methods

Division, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Cat' (Garden catmint 'Kit Cat') will reach a height of 0.35m and a spread of 0.7m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Garden edging, Gravel, Wildlife

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained soil in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Cat' (Garden catmint 'Kit Cat')

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/