Nepeta 'Kit Kat'

Garden Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kit Cat’ / ‘Kit Kat’
Kit Kat Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Kit Cat’, often sold in the trade as ‘Kit Kat’, is a compact herbaceous perennial with aromatic gray-green foliage and masses of lavender-blue to blue flowers from late spring into summer, often reblooming with a light shearing. It forms a low, spreading mound and is especially useful for edging, rock gardens, sunny borders, containers, cottage gardens, and pollinator plantings. Missouri Botanical Garden lists ‘Kit Cat’/‘Kit Kat’ as a dwarf cultivar growing to about 15 inches tall, with blue flowers from May to September and highly aromatic foliage.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 18–30 in. wide × 10–18 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Low, compact, spreading mound
Light: Full sun to part shade; best bloom in full sun
Soil / Water: Average to dry, well-drained soil; low to moderate water once established
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring through summer; often May–September with trimming
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating insects; deer and rabbits usually avoid the aromatic foliage. Proven Winners describes catmint flowers as attractive to hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other insect pollinators.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent small catmint for front borders, edging, mass planting, slopes, containers, herb gardens, cottage gardens, and dry sunny areas. It is a good choice where a shorter, tidier catmint is needed compared with larger cultivars. The gray-green foliage is fragrant when crushed, and the long bloom season makes it valuable for pollinator gardens.

Care:
Plant in well-drained soil and avoid wet winter conditions. Shear back after the first heavy bloom to encourage fresh foliage and rebloom. Cut back old stems in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Avoid overly rich soil or heavy fertilizer, which can make catmint floppy

Plant type

Perennial

Height

10-18"

Width

18-30"

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Fall, Early Summer, Late Spring, Late Summer, Summer

Flower color

Blue, Lavender

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Dry Area, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Border, Erosion control slopes, Mass Planting

Shape

Compact, Low Spreading

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No