Nepeta x faassenii 'Dropmore'

Garden Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Dropmore’
Dropmore Catmint / Faassen’s Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Dropmore’ is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial with aromatic gray-green foliage and abundant blue-purple to lavender-blue flower spikes. It forms a soft, spreading mound and blooms heavily in summer, often continuing longer if sheared after the first flush. Fine Gardening describes ‘Dropmore’ as having toothed gray-green leaves, aromatic foliage, and larger flowers than the hybrid species.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 24–36 in. wide × 18–24 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b; some sources list 4a–8b
Form: Mounded, spreading clump with upright flowering stems
Light: Full sun to part shade; best bloom in full sun
Soil / Water: Average, dry to medium, well-drained soil; low to moderate water once established
Bloom Time / Length: Summer into fall; longer bloom with shearing
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating insects; deer and rabbits usually avoid the aromatic foliage. Fine Gardening notes that catmints attract insects and hummingbirds.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for sunny borders, cottage gardens, herb gardens, rose underplanting, slopes, edging, mass plantings, and dry garden areas. ‘Dropmore’ has a looser, fuller habit than very compact catmints, giving it a soft, billowy look along walks, walls, and mixed borders. Missouri Botanical Garden lists Nepeta × faassenii as hardy in Zones 3–8, typically 1–2 ft. tall, and suited to average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in sun to part shade.

Care:
Plant in well-drained soil and avoid soggy winter conditions. Shear back flower spikes after the first bloom to encourage rebloom and keep the plant compact. 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

18-24''

Width

24-36''

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

Leaf color

Olive Drab

Fall color

Light Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Average, Well Drained

Landscape use

Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Spreading

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No