Years ago, my neighbor Tony, gifted me with a lovely herbaceous perrenial, catmint (Nepeta racemose), sometimes called “Walkers Row,” named for an English garden. With gray-green to silver foliage, the purple / blue flowers form terminal clusters, emerging from early summer into fall.

Catmint is the common name for many cultivars, each with its own name, such as Dawn to Dusk with pink flowers, White Wonder and Snowflake with white flowers, and Dropmore with dark blue flowers, to name a few. Originating in East Africa, unlike catnip, it does not attract cats.

Requiring either full sun or partial shade, the stem is square, indicating it is from the mint family. The opposite leaves are 1 to 2 inches long with scalloped edges. Each stem is 2 to 3 feet long with tiny flowers along each stem, but because the stems arch, the plant only gains a height of 1 1/2 to 2 feet, spreading itself over the garden.

Used as a border, ground cover or in a planter, it tolerates hot temperatures and, once established, is fairly drought resistant. Once the blooms fade, the stems should be cut back 1/2 to 1/3 to promote a second blooming. My cultivar must be sterile since it does not reseed itself. Ideal propagation is in spring or summer, digging part of the plant out with the root intact and replanting it. With proper watering and care, it will thrive and bloom.

Catmint has few problems with pests including rabbits and deer. It also acts as a repellent against insects such as aphids and squash bugs, however various types of bees are drawn to its scent and color. With proper spacing, powdery mildew will be avoided and the catmint will maintain excellent health over many seasons.

This plant compliments other flowers in the garden and adds color with flowers such as foxglove, coreopsis, Black-Eyed Susan and bee-balm. The red of bee-balm attracts hummingbirds and catmint also provides a nectar source.

When given this plant, I was warned of its ability to spread itself, and indeed it does! Keeping it contained is necessary, but it is not a wild thing like spearmint and peppermint plants that take over.

I will be digging and replanting a portion of it when the blooms fade and the bees lose interest, donating the plants to BOTO (Bring One Take One), which takes place on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Ohio State University Extension, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield.

If you have plants to bring, plant check-in is from 9 to 10 a.m. The plant exchange is from 10 to 10:30 a.m., and the Master Gardener Volunteer plant sale is from 9 a.m. to noon. You do not have to bring a plant but maybe just interested in searching for that special plant to take home and love.

Because catmint is from the mint family, the leaves are edible and can be enjoyed in salads and for flavoring in iced tea and lemonade. Bring home a catmint plant and enjoy it for its beauty, flavor and bee watching. A true garden enhancer!

For pictures and details about this plant, go to: https://go.osu.edu/catmint

Kane Shipka is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.