Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Catwalk Queen Catmint: Big Lilac Flowers on a Low, Stocky Mound
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Catwalk Queen catmint earns its name with flowers more than double the size of an ordinary catmint bloom, held in long, open panicles of soft lilac-blue. The plant underneath is low and stocky, just 10 to 12 inches tall, with thick, gray-green leaves on a sturdy frame that keeps it tidy.
It is made for hot, dry spots where other plants struggle, which is to say, the same spots lavender loves.
Catwalk Queen at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Nepeta 'Catwalk Queen' |
| Flowers | Large, lilac to lavender-blue, in long panicles |
| Foliage | Gray-green, thick-textured and scalloped; minty-herbal when brushed |
| Size | 10 to 12 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June, repeats into fall with shearing |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer and rabbit resistant |
Walking the lavender runway
Picture a path lined with lavender. Now put a low band of Catwalk Queen in front, right at the path's edge. The catmint's lilac-blue flowers sit just below the lavender wands, so the planting steps down in two shades of purple, and the low mound softens the hard edge of the walk.
It also extends the show. Catwalk Queen opens in early June, blooms with the lavender and, after a shearing, comes back into fall. Because it stays so compact, it never flops onto the lavender or shades its crown. Sketch your edging rows in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun, including hot, dry beds by driveways or walls.
- Soil: lean to average and well-drained. Rich, wet soil leads to sprawl and root rot.
- Water: regular in the first season, then only during long dry spells.
- Shearing: after the first flush, cut back by about a third to a half for fresh growth and repeat bloom.
- Spacing: give each plant room for its 18- to 20-inch spread so air moves freely.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan when drainage is good. Leave stems up over winter and cut back in early spring.
Where else it shines
Its tight habit makes Catwalk Queen useful anywhere you want a low, reliable blue: rock gardens, the edge of a gravel bed, or a container in full sun. Deer and rabbits leave it alone, and bees and butterflies are steady visitors. It is an ornamental catmint, not one for eating.
Plug tray or bare root
Catwalk Queen is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, a good choice for lining long borders, and as a bare root plant for smaller projects. See each product page for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
How big are the flowers compared with other catmints?
More than twice the size of a typical catmint flower, which makes the color read clearly even on a low plant.
Will it spread into my lavender?
No. It forms a stocky mound about 18 to 20 inches wide and holds its shape better than older, sprawling catmints.
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