Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ – A Charming, Compact Perennial for Cat Lovers and Pollinators
Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is a compact, aromatic perennial that brings a cheerful pop of color and delightful fragrance to any garden. With its dense clusters of soft, lavender-blue flowers and aromatic, gray-green foliage, this cultivar is a must-have for pollinator gardens, attracting bees, butterflies, and of course, cats. Known for its compact habit, ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ stays neat and tidy, making it an excellent choice for small spaces, containers, or the front of garden borders. This low-maintenance beauty is as beloved for its easy care as it is for its ability to fill the garden with fragrance and color throughout the summer months.
Why Grow Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’?
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Compact Size – ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ grows in a neat, compact mound, making it an ideal choice for smaller gardens, containers, or the front of borders.
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Long-Lasting Blooms – This variety produces an abundance of lavender-blue flowers from late spring to mid-summer, offering weeks of vibrant color and fragrance.
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Pollinator-Friendly – The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an essential addition to wildlife gardens and pollinator-friendly plantings.
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Cat-Approved – Nepeta is known to attract cats, who love to roll around in its aromatic foliage. ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is an ideal plant for cat lovers with a garden space, as it offers both beauty and entertainment for your feline friends.
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Low Maintenance & Drought Tolerant – Once established, this hardy perennial is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens.
Where to Site Your Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’?
Thrives in full sun to partial shade, though it will bloom best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. It prefers well-drained soil and is particularly tolerant of dry conditions, making it a great choice for xeriscaping or areas with poor soil. This versatile plant works well in borders, front gardens, or containers, where its neat form and fragrant blooms can be enjoyed up close. It also pairs beautifully with other sun-loving perennials like Echinacea, Salvia, and Coreopsis, creating a lively, colorful border or garden edge. Plant it near pathways or seating areas to take advantage of its aromatic fragrance, or as a filler between taller perennials for a cohesive, textured planting.
How to Grow and Care for Your Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’
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Soil – Prefers well-drained soil, though it is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including poorer, drier soils. Adding compost can help improve soil fertility.
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Light – Grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. The more sunlight it receives, the more abundant the flowering.
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Watering – Once established, Nepeta is drought-tolerant and needs minimal watering. Keep the soil evenly moist during the initial establishment period, but be sure to avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot.
Maintenance:
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Deadheading & Cleanup – To encourage more blooms and keep the plant tidy, deadhead spent flowers regularly. After the first flush of blooms, you can also trim back the plant slightly to promote a second round of flowers later in the season.
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Mulch & Feed – Apply a light layer of mulch to retain moisture and keep the soil cool, especially in hotter climates. Nepeta does not require much fertilizer, but you can apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth.
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Pruning – If the plant becomes leggy or starts to lose its compact shape, trim it back by a third after the first bloom period to encourage fresh growth and a second round of flowers.
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Division – Every 2-3 years, divide the plant to keep it vigorous and avoid overcrowding. This can be done in early spring or fall.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ works well with a variety of other sun-loving plants, especially those that share its love for well-drained, dry conditions. Combine it with other compact perennials like Echinacea, Coreopsis, or Salvia, which will complement its lavender-blue blooms with their own vibrant colors and textures. It pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses like Pennisetum or Blue Fescue, where their contrasting forms and textures create a dynamic display. For a fragrant, pollinator-friendly garden, plant it alongside Lavender, Thyme, or Catmint varieties, which all attract bees and butterflies while offering a soothing fragrance. For a more natural or cottage-style look, combine ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ with Shasta Daisy, Coreopsis, or Gaillardia, creating a colorful, carefree, and vibrant garden. Its low-growing habit also makes it an excellent filler between taller plants like Rudbeckia, Phlox, or Veronica, adding softness and texture to your landscape
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.