Catmint

Don't let the name fool you – Catmint is way more sophisticated than its wild cousin catnip, though it still might make the neighborhood cats act a little goofy. This perennial creates neat mounds of aromatic gray-green foliage topped with spikes of purple-blue flowers that bloom so reliably, you'll start taking them for granted. It's basically the plant version of that friend who always shows up – the dependable one you can count on through all seasons.

The real genius of Catmint is its "set it and forget it" personality combined with non-stop performance. While other perennials are busy having dramatic bloom periods followed by sulky rest phases, Catmint just keeps quietly producing flowers from late spring through fall. It's like having a reliable employee who never calls in sick and always shows up looking great.

Those soft, fuzzy leaves aren't just for texture – they're incredibly aromatic when brushed against, releasing a pleasant mint-like fragrance that most humans enjoy but deer and rabbits find absolutely repulsive. It's like having a natural pest deterrent that also happens to smell good and look beautiful.

Catmint is also ridiculously easy to propagate – a single plant can be divided into multiple plants after just a few years, making it perfect for filling large areas on a budget. The flowers are beloved by bees and butterflies, but the real bonus is how the plant stays attractive even when not in bloom. You'll see this purple powerhouse providing reliable color and fragrance in our median plantings, proving that sometimes the most dependable performers are also the most beautiful.