Early Bird Catmint

Early Bird Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii 'Early Bird')

Early Bird Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii 'Early Bird') is a sun-loving perennial grown for its aromatic gray-green foliage and its extra-early season of lavender-blue flowers that brings color to the garden sooner than many other catmints. It forms a tidy, mounding clump that stays attractive as it blooms, creating a soft, calming look along paths, at the front of borders, and in mixed perennial beds. The early flowering window helps bridge the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials, and a quick trim after the first flush often encourages repeat bloom later in the season. With its early performance and dependable habit, Early Bird Catmint makes an excellent focal point when you want a reliable ribbon of blue that starts the season strong.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the early bloom time, which delivers lavender-blue flower spikes when many perennials are still getting established for the season. Leaves are lightly fuzzy, aromatic, and gray-green, adding soft texture and a clean backdrop for the flowers. Like many catmints, it is highly attractive to pollinators and can keep bees active in the garden early in the year. Early Bird performs best in well-drained soil and typically looks its best when sheared back after the first heavy bloom to refresh foliage and encourage more flowering.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best; tolerates light shade but flowering is usually stronger with more sun.
• 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: Mounding perennial with airy flower spikes.
• Mature Size: About 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as an early-season blue accent that draws attention in spring and carries into early summer.
• Border Edging: Plant along walks and bed edges for a soft line of texture and seasonal color.
• Foundation Planting: Adds early bloom and clean foliage texture without feeling heavy or bulky.
• Pollinator Plantings: Supports bees and beneficial insects early and through its flowering window.
• Companion Planting: Pairs well with roses, salvias, alliums, echinacea, and ornamental grasses for a cohesive, layered look.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep evenly watered during the first growing season; after that, water only during prolonged drought.
• Shearing: Trim back after the first heavy bloom to encourage fresh growth and repeat flowering.
• Soil Management: Avoid rich, constantly wet soils, which can reduce flowering and cause decline.
• 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 plants become woody or less vigorous.

Why Choose Early Bird Catmint?

• Early Bloom Time: Starts the season with lavender-blue flowers sooner than many catmint varieties.
• Aromatic Foliage: Soft, gray-green leaves add fragrance and clean texture in mixed beds.
• Repeat Bloom Potential: Shearing after the first flush often encourages another round of flowering.
• Pollinator Support: Flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects through the season.
• Strong Focal Point Value: Creates a reliable early ribbon of blue that anchors spring and early summer borders.

If you want a catmint that starts blooming early and keeps borders looking fresh with aromatic foliage and lavender-blue flowers, Early Bird Catmint adds focal point color and reliable performance in sunny, well-drained beds.