Blue Wonder Catmint

Blue Wonder Catmint (Nepeta racemosa 'Blue Wonder')

Blue Wonder Catmint (Nepeta racemosa 'Blue Wonder') is a compact, sun-loving perennial grown for its dense mounds of aromatic foliage and its long season of blue to violet-blue flowers. It blooms heavily from late spring into summer, and with a quick trim after the first flush, it often reblooms and keeps color going well into the warm season. The tidy, low habit makes it easy to tuck along the front of borders, edge walkways, or weave through mixed plantings where you want a consistent blue accent without a plant that flops. With its steady bloom, clean shape, and pollinator value, Blue Wonder Catmint makes an excellent focal point in smaller spaces, especially when planted in repeats that create a ribbon of blue.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the concentrated flower display, with short spikes held just above the foliage so the plant looks full and covered in color during peak bloom. Leaves are gray-green, lightly fuzzy, and aromatic, adding soft texture even when the plant is not flowering. Blue Wonder tends to stay more compact than many taller nepeta selections, which makes it useful for edging and for pairing with more upright perennials. It is also a dependable pollinator plant, drawing bees and other beneficial insects throughout its bloom period.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best; tolerates light shade but may flower less.
• Soil: Well-drained soil; performs best in average to lean soils and does not like wet feet.
• Water: Moderate; water regularly during establishment, then water during extended dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8.
• Habit: Compact, mounding perennial with low flower spikes.
• Mature Size: About 10 to 14 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a low, blue-flowering accent at the front of beds where the color can be enjoyed up close.
• Border Edging: Creates a clean, repeatable edge along walks, patios, and perennial borders.
• Rock Gardens and Sunny Slopes: Well-suited to well-drained sites where compact plants are needed.
• Pollinator Plantings: Supports bees and beneficial insects during a long bloom season.
• Companion Planting: Pairs well with roses, salvias, echinacea, and ornamental grasses for a balanced, cottage-to-modern look.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water consistently the first season; after that, water during prolonged drought.
• Shearing: Trim back after the first heavy bloom to encourage fresh growth and rebloom.
• Soil Management: Avoid overly rich or constantly wet soils, which can reduce performance.
• Fertilizing: Usually not needed; a light spring feeding is enough in poor soils.
• Spacing: Provide airflow to help foliage stay clean in humid weather.
• Dividing: Divide every few years if clumps become woody or less vigorous.

Why Choose Blue Wonder Catmint?

• Long Bloom Season: Heavy late spring bloom with strong potential for repeat flowering after shearing.
• Compact Habit: Stays low and tidy for edging and smaller garden spaces.
• Aromatic Foliage: Soft, gray-green leaves add texture and a clean look even between bloom cycles.
• Pollinator Support: Flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects through the season.
• Strong Focal Point Value: Delivers a dense, blue flowering display that stands out at the front of borders.

If you want a compact catmint that stays tidy and delivers a long season of blue blooms, Blue Wonder Catmint adds focal point color, soft texture, and reliable performance in sunny, well-drained beds.