Nepeta ×faasenii ‘Six
Hills Giant’‘Six Hills Giant’ catmint
lamiaceae
Lavender-blue flowers; gray-green leaves
3 ft. high; 3 ft. wide
Full sun
Blooms June–August
Zones 3–8
pruning Deadheading doesn’t seem
to do much to prolong bloom on this
catmint. Snipping off the old flowering
stems can improve the appearance of
the plant, though. Plants are sterile, so
reseeding does not occur. Shearing
down the foliage is not as critical with
this catmint as with others, because
this one doesn’t decline to the degree
that the others can. In my experience,
the plant may turn a bit yellowish in
certain years and may open in the
center with heavy rains, but normally
not severely. It can be sheared and
shaped after flowering, if desired, to
keep it from falling over other peren-
nials, or to induce lush new foliage. If
sheared back by about two-thirds after
flowering, it will stay more compact
and the new growth will hold the
strong gray-green color. Often
rebloom will occur, but not always,
depending on the vigor of the plant
and the conditions for the season. ‘Six
Hills Giant’ looks rough in the winter;
pruning after several killing frosts is
advisable.
other maintenance This catmint
is easy to grow. It requires average
well-draining soil and full sun.
Division is seldom required, but it can
be performed in the spring. Nepeta ×faasenii ‘Six Hills Giant’