Nepeta 'SIX HILLS GIANT' catmint
size/type
mid-sized perennial,small shrub
usual height
0,8-1m
usual width
0,5-1m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-October
location
full to partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)
3 (down to -40°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Catmint is a large genus of about 250 species found in most temperate and cold regions of North hemisphere. Apart from a very few annuals it is a perennial with aromatic foliage and mostly violet flowers, seldom white, and uniquely yellow. Commonly cultivated species are n.nervosa, n.sibirica, n. x faassenii, and further hybrids. Not all species produce leaves whose scent is attractive to cats.
Description of the plant:
Six Hills Giant is a popular catmint variety of vigorous growth. It grows up to 90 cm tall and wide and looks like a small shrub. From June open small, pale violet flowers along and atop slender stems. Mint-scented leaves (and possibly the whole plant) look very similar to perovskia, they are small, ovate, scalloped, and gently serrated at margins. Thanks to extremely long flowering period it makes a great feature in summer gardens, on patios and balconies, and combined with spring flowering shrubs or perennials. If the plant gets leggy or unsightly in midsummer cut it by half and it will emerge with new, shorter but stronger stems that will produce flowers until early autumn.This variety was named after a giant from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, England. The legend says that for fun a giant used to throw (his) handfuls of earth at passers-by. He missed six times hence the six piles/hills (six Round Barrows from the Bronze Age). The seventh time he did not look and threw over his shoulder. He hit a spire of the nearby church in Graveley that is allegedly askew until today. Funny story, isn't it? Fancy a giant throwing earth at village people who very likely kept stalking and annoying him for so long that he decided to act. Just one thing is wrong - if the hills are from the Bronze Age (3000-1200 years BC), and the world's first church debris were found in Megidd in Israel and are dated 3rd-4th century AD, the legend remains a bedtime story just like the one about the Loch Ness Monster.
Catmint is not too picky about soil type, however, it is not as drought tolerant as some landscape designers think. Especially tall growing species should never dry out completely on hottest days of summer. And on the contrary over-fertilized and over-watered plants may become leggy. Use common garden soil that will drain freely, and irrigate the plant only when needed. Catmint is suitable for full sun and part shade. Very hardy to about -37°C (USDA zone 3), and suitable for outdoor pots.
Last update: 21-05-2019
WANT TO TRY A SIMILAR PLANT?
Goods are shipped all over Europe. For Russia and U.K. and for further details please read about SHIPPING OPTIONS HERE.
Are you interested in a serious discount for orders NOV-FEB? Check your options here.
THE PRICES INCLUDE VAT of 15%. For quick conversion you can use 1 CZK = approx. 0.04 EUR
GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
