Blue Cloud Calamint

Blue Cloud Calamint (Calamintha nepeta 'Blue Cloud')

Blue Cloud Calamint is a long-blooming perennial that softens sunny borders with a steady haze of pale lavender-blue flowers. It forms a compact, mounding plant that threads easily between larger perennials, filling gaps without taking over. The aromatic foliage adds another layer of interest, especially when you brush past it along a path. If you want reliable summer-to-fall color with low fuss, this plant earns its space.

Distinctive Features

This calamint produces clouds of small, two-lipped flowers in pale lavender-blue over a neat mound of fine-textured, minty fragrant foliage. Bloom typically runs from summer into fall, and the plant often reblooms well after a light trim. The overall look is airy and delicate, but the plant is tough, handling heat and leaner soils once established. Mature size is commonly about 12 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide with a rounded, mounding habit.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for the heaviest bloom and tightest habit, with part shade tolerated.
• Soil: Well-drained soil, including average to dry soils, and avoid heavy, wet ground.
• Water: Low to moderate, water to establish, then water occasionally during extended drought.
• Zones: USDA Zones 4 to 9.
• Notable Traits: Aromatic foliage, strong pollinator plant, and often reported to be deer resistant.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use a broad drift as a focal point where the flower haze can read as a soft, calming band of color through summer and fall.
• Border Edging: Plant along the front of sunny borders for a tidy mound that keeps blooming for months.
• Rock Gardens: Tuck into sharp-drained beds where drought-smart plants are needed and texture matters.
• Companion Filler: Weave between roses and perennials to knit plantings together and keep the border looking finished.

Low Maintenance Care

• Trimming: Shear lightly after the first heavy bloom to refresh the mound and encourage rebloom.
• Watering: Avoid consistently wet soil, and water deeply only when the plant shows signs of drought stress.
• Feeding: Skip heavy fertilizing, since leaner soil helps keep growth compact and flowering steady.
• Cleanup: Cut back old stems in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Why Choose Blue Cloud Calamint?

• Long Bloom Season: Produces pale lavender-blue flowers from summer into fall for dependable color.
• Neat Habit: Forms a compact mound that fits easily in smaller spaces and mixed borders.
• Low Water Needs: Handles heat and dry periods once established when drainage is good.
• Pollinator Value: Flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects throughout the bloom window.

Blue Cloud Calamint is most effective when repeated, letting the soft bloom color create rhythm through the border. Pair it with bolder flowers, grasses, and silver foliage to highlight its airy texture and keep the planting balanced. Give it sun, sharp drainage, and a simple midseason trim, and it will keep your garden looking fresh late into the year. If you want a low-fuss perennial that blooms for a long time, this is a strong choice.