Add Texture, Beauty and Bee Appeal to the Garden with Calamint Calamintha nepeta nepeta

Delicate in appearance yet tough as nails; calamint makes a welcome addition to flower gardens and mixed borders.

Light airy flowers of calamint combine nicely with shrub roses and other perennials. Intersperse it throughout the garden to unify a planting or combine with a non-aggressive catmint for added color and texture. This plant reminds me of baby’s breath but has a much nicer growth habit in the garden.

Grow the subspecies Calamintha nepeta nepeta or one of the cultivars that does not reseed and take over the garden. Montrose White has white flowers and does not reseed while Blue Cloud’s lavender flowers have powdery blue overtones.

Grow this perennial in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates drought.

Then listen for the buzzing bees that frequently visit the plant throughout the summer.

A bit more information: Calamint is hardy in zones 4 to 7. It grows to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide, making it perfect as an edging plant, companion for similar sized plants or as a backdrop for shorter flowers.