Catmint (Nepeta) is a genus of rugged, aromatic perennials highly valued in gardens for their extended bloom time and low maintenance needs. Nepeta ‘Purple Haze’ stands out as a sought-after, low-growing selection that offers significant visual impact without the sprawling habit of larger catmints. This hybrid is favored for its compact form and the continuous color it brings to the front of a border or a rock garden.
Key Features of ‘Purple Haze’
‘Purple Haze’ is a distinctive catmint cultivar characterized by its low and spreading growth habit. The plant forms a dense, silver-green mat of aromatic foliage that typically reaches only 4 to 7 inches in height, spreading up to 30 inches. This prostrate growth pattern makes it an excellent groundcover, contrasting with the upright habits of other Nepeta varieties.
Above the silver-gray leaves, the plant displays a profusion of lavender-blue or purple-blue flower spikes that rise to about 7 inches tall. The flowers are densely packed and appear continuously from late spring through early fall, providing one of the longest bloom periods available in the catmint family. This prolonged flowering and its neat foliage habit distinguish ‘Purple Haze’.
Essential Planting Requirements
Site selection for ‘Purple Haze’ should prioritize full sun exposure, which encourages the densest growth and abundant flowering. While it can tolerate some partial afternoon shade, too little sun may cause the foliage to become sparse and the stems to stretch or “flop.” The plant is hardy, thriving across USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 10.
The ideal soil condition for this catmint requires excellent drainage, which is a greater concern than soil fertility. ‘Purple Haze’ tolerates poor, average, or lean soil quality, including sandy or rocky compositions, and thrives even in low-organic environments. Avoid planting in heavy, constantly wet, or overly rich soil, as this can lead to root rot or overly vigorous, floppy growth. When planting in masses, space plants approximately 25 to 30 inches apart to allow them to grow into a cohesive groundcover mat.
Ongoing Care and Pruning Techniques
Once established, Nepeta ‘Purple Haze’ is drought-tolerant, making it well-suited for water-wise gardens. During the first growing season, deep, regular watering is necessary to develop an extensive root system. After establishment, allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Fertilization is rarely needed and should be applied lightly, if at all, as high-nutrient soil can promote excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production.
The most effective maintenance technique for encouraging continuous blooms and maintaining the tidy form of ‘Purple Haze’ is a mid-season cutback. This process is similar to the “Chelsea Chop,” typically performed on many perennials around late spring or early summer. For ‘Purple Haze,’ this cutback is performed immediately after the first heavy flush of blooms starts to fade, usually around the end of June or early July.
To execute the cutback, use clean shears to remove the spent flower spikes and about one-third of the foliage, cutting the plant back aggressively. This shearing removes the old growth and encourages a strong second flush of new stems and flowers, rather than a hard cut to the ground. The aggressive prune prevents the plant from becoming messy or developing the open, flopping center common with unpruned catmint. This promotes denser, more compact growth and ensures the plant remains attractive through the summer and fall.
Utilizing Catmint in Landscape Design
The low, spreading habit of Nepeta ‘Purple Haze’ makes it an excellent choice for functional and decorative uses in the garden. It performs beautifully as a groundcover, quickly filling in difficult areas like sunny banks or slopes. It is frequently used for border edging to soften the transition between hardscapes and planting beds. Its tolerance for dry conditions allows it to thrive in rock gardens or gravel settings.
The plant’s compact structure makes it suitable for container planting, where its aromatic, gray-green foliage can spill attractively over the edges. The lavender-blue flowers are attractive to beneficial pollinators, drawing in bees and butterflies throughout its long blooming season. Like other Nepeta species, ‘Purple Haze’ contains the compound nepetalactone, which can elicit a behavioral response in domestic cats, though this attraction varies widely.