Nepeta is a resilient, drought tolerant summer perennial which does best in warm and sunny locations, so will thrive in a south or west facing spot. It is tolerant of a range of soil types, as long as drainage is good. Although it is an unfussy plant with good drought tolerance once established, for best results it will need potting up and growing on until it’s developed a strong root system before planting into more challenging conditions. Nepeta attracts pollinators of all types, making it a great choice for wildlife gardens.

How to plant

— Nepeta are supplied as bare roots in spring for planting between February and May, or as 9cm root ball plants in autumn for planting between September and December. In both cases, they must be unpacked on arrival and planted soon after delivery, they will require moisture and light after transit.

— Plant as soon as possible after delivery, ideally within a week. If you can't plant your bare roots on the day of delivery, soak the roots in a bowl of water outdoors and plant within a few days. 9cm root ball plants can be sat in a shallow dish of water outside and planted within a week.

— You can often plant 9cm root-ball plants directly into a clear space in a well cultivated border, providing the soil is good quality, free draining and weed free. Avoid planting your new plant directly into a space where they will have to compete with more established plants. In areas with challenging soil types or competition from more established plants, it is recommended to pot up root ball plants and grown them on for a few months until they are better established and more likely to cope with the conditions.

— For bare root plants supplied in spring, it is necessary to pot them up and grow them on before transferring into the garden. Soak bare roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting. Pot up into 2 litre (or 15-20cm diameter) pots using a good quality multi-purpose compost to grow on.

— Plant bare roots with the entire root system submerged below the soil. The top of the root system should show small buds which should be just level with the soil surface. If supplied later in spring, any shoots or leaves which have emerged already should be left exposed above the soil surface.

— Grow bare roots on in their pots in a sheltered area outside. They can be transplanted into suitable growing positions after 2-4 months or once growth is established and the plants easily come out of the temporary pots with the soil intact.

— When transplanting into the garden, choose a sunny position with free-draining soil. Ensure the area is dug over and cleared of weeds before planting.

— Keep space clear around the young plant and ensure neighbouring plants or weeds are not smothering or in competition with it.

— Nepeta is hardy to around -15C and does not require winter protection in most areas.

— Water-in after planting and keep hydrated when in growth, particularly during the first year. They should be watered whenever the soil feels dry during the first growing season.

Aftercare

— New growth emerges in spring, followed by flowers in summer. They may not flower in the first year.

— Deadhead flowers when needed to encourage a second flush later in the season.

— Nepeta dies back in autumn, at which point you can cut all leaves and stems back to around 3cm above soil level. The silver-grey leaves at the base of the plant usually remain through winter and new stems and foliage emerge from the base the following spring.

— Nepeta is a clump-forming perennial and over time the root system will increase in size and the plant will also grow larger each year. When needed, you can divide clumps in autumn.

— Nepeta should be planted at a spacing of at around 20cm between them if planting in groups and typically take 1-2 years to establish.