Nepeta nuda - 9cm pot
I really love the colour, height and form of this beauty and it has become a firm favourite. Forms low clumps of slightly sprawling stems to start with, each clothed in grey-green leaves which are fragrant when touched. Then the burgundy-tinted flower stems head upwards, smothering themselves in multiple short spikes of dusky purplish buds which eventually unfurl and open to reveal palest lilac flowers. The form is relatively open rather than crowded together, so you can see the individual stems rather than one big fuzzy cloud, plus the contrasting flower and stem colours create a beautiful scene and natural feel, which goes so well with all sorts of other perennials and grasses. A hardy herbaceous perennial, dormant in winter, and very attractive to bees and butterflies. Full sun and good drainage - a great plant for dry or gravel gardens and very easy in normal to average soil as well. Flowering height 70-120cm x 40-50cm wide once mature. 9cm pot.