Blue Prelude Catmint

Blue Prelude Catmint (Nepeta subsessilis 'Blue Prelude')

Blue Prelude Catmint (Nepeta subsessilis 'Blue Prelude') is a clump-forming perennial grown for its rich blue flower spikes and its ability to bring long-lasting color to beds that have consistent moisture. Unlike many catmints that prefer dry conditions, this selection performs well in average to evenly moist soils, making it a strong fit for borders, rain garden edges, and mixed perennial plantings where irrigation or natural moisture is present. The deep blue blooms rise above a tidy mound of green foliage, creating a clean, upright look that reads well from a distance and holds its shape through the flowering season. With its saturated bloom color and garden-friendly habit, Blue Prelude Catmint makes an excellent focal point in perennial beds where you want a strong blue accent that feels both calm and vibrant.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the saturated blue flower color, which shows up clearly in the landscape and pairs easily with whites, yellows, pinks, and silvery foliage. Flowering typically comes in early to mid summer, with a display that can be extended by deadheading and steady moisture. The plant forms a dense, upright clump rather than a sprawling habit, making it useful for more structured borders and tighter planting plans. It is also a valuable pollinator plant, drawing bees and other beneficial insects to the garden during peak bloom.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; best flowering usually occurs with more sun.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained to evenly moist soil; performs well in average garden soils that do not dry out completely.
• Water: Moderate to regular; keep evenly moist for best growth and bloom, especially in heat.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8.
• Habit: Clump-forming perennial with upright flower spikes.
• Mature Size: About 18 to 24 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a blue-flowering accent in perennial beds where the color can stand out against greens and warm-toned blooms.
• Mixed Perennial Borders: Adds upright structure and reliable summer color among coneflowers, rudbeckia, and ornamental grasses.
• Rain Garden Edges: A good choice for spots with consistent moisture, especially along the upper edges of rain gardens and swales.
• Pollinator Plantings: Supports bees and beneficial insects during its bloom season.
• Foundation and Front Borders: Tidy habit works well near paths and patios where you want controlled growth and strong color.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Provide consistent moisture, especially during establishment and summer heat.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flower spikes to extend bloom and keep the plant looking clean.
• Cutback: Shear back lightly after flowering to encourage fresh foliage and possible rebloom.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in spring if soil is poor, but avoid heavy fertilizing that can reduce flowering.
• Spacing: Give plants room for airflow to reduce mildew risk in humid conditions.
• Dividing: Divide clumps every few years if vigor declines or to expand plantings.

Why Choose Blue Prelude Catmint?

• Deep Blue Blooms: Rich color delivers a strong summer accent in mixed borders.
• Moisture-Friendly Catmint: Performs well in evenly moist soils compared with many drier-site nepeta types.
• Tidy Growth Habit: Clump-forming form stays controlled and works well in structured plantings.
• Pollinator Support: Flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects during bloom season.
• Strong Focal Point Value: Adds saturated blue color and upright structure where the eye naturally lands.

If you want a catmint with rich blue flower spikes and a tidy, clump-forming habit that performs well with consistent moisture, Blue Prelude Catmint adds focal point color and reliable summer presence to perennial borders.