Nepeta Blue Dragon

Nepeta Blue Dragon, a remarkable vigorous bushy perennial, highly attractive for its grey-green scented foliage and long, abundant, and airy summer flowering of spikes of large dark blue-purple flowers. An essential variety, ideally suited for many garden styles, to be planted in full sun or partial shade, in ordinary, well-drained soil.

Nepetas are, also known as Catmints, Catnips and Cat's Grass, belong to the Lamiaceae family and are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Blue Dragon is a hybrid of several species and a very vigorous herbaceous perennial plant with upright stems, forming a dense cushion, about 60 cm (24in) wide. Its deciduous aromatic foliage is composed of small pointed, toothed, greenish-grey leaves. From June to September a mass of erect stems rise 70 cm (28in) high, bearing spikes of large tubular, bright violet-blue flowers punctuated with powder blue and white, with a darker throat. When observed closely, the flowers resemble dragon heads, hence its name. Very floriferous and attractive to pollinators.

Nepetas are attractive to cats, who like the scent of the foliage and like to rub against them.

Nepetas are very easy and carefree perennials, robust and fast-growing, essential in the garden for their lovely ground-covering cushion shape, fine aromatic foliage, and relentless summer flowering. This Blue Dragon cultivar should be planted in full sun or partial shade, in ordinary to moist, well-drained soil. It will have a beautiful effect when planted at the base of a shrub or climbing rose and summer-flowering clematis. It will also enhance a flowerbed, a perennial border, a slope, or the back of a rockery. It will complement Daylilies, Phlox paniculata, Purple Coneflowers, Oriental Poppies, Japanese Anemones, Masterworts, and Scabious. It is also well-suited for borders and along pathways or walkways. It can be planted in containers on a terrace or balcony. Moreover, its beautiful flower spikes can be cut to create beautiful country-style bouquets, mixed with other summer flowers.