Catmint | Nepeta Cataria

This is the true catmint (catnip), which will send most cats into an absolute frenzy of rolling, chewing, rubbing, drooling and purring (amongst other things!) The good news (and not just for your cat) is that it also looks handsome in the border, forming a loose hummock of aromatic foliage, above which small white flowers appear in summer. The aromatic foliage is also said to help repel insects, so it's a great plant to have near an outdoor seating area. Growing instructions: For an early flowering crop under glass from January - sow thinly onto trays or pots containing good quality seed compost and lightly cover with compost. Cover with polythene, glass or a propagator lid. Keep moist but not overly wet and keep at 68°F (20°) for 2-4 weeks. Remove covers once seedlings appear and transplant when easy to handle into small pots. Harden off in a cool environment and plant out at 30cm intervals once all risk of frost has passed. For direct, outdoor sowings from April onwards - sow thinly in rows 15cm apart in a well-prepared seed bed. Cover lightly and keep moist, transplanting or thinning to 30cm when easy to handle. Sow: January to April (under glass) or April to June (direct) Flowering: June to September (if sown early under glass) or May to September the following year (if sown direct)