Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Purrsian Blue Catmint: Lavender's Tidiest Periwinkle Partner
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Purrsian Blue catmint is a compact catmint that stays neatly rounded instead of sprawling. In its first year it forms a small, dense ball; by its second it widens to just over 2 feet while staying 14 to 18 inches tall. Its periwinkle blue flowers, set in dark purple calyxes, are packed so closely along the stems that the whole mound turns blue-violet from early summer into early fall.
Catmint is one of lavender's best partners. It wants the same full sun and lean, well-drained soil, it blooms alongside lavender, and it keeps going after the lavender harvest.
Purrsian Blue at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Nepeta × faassenii 'Purrsian Blue' |
| Flowers | Periwinkle blue in dark purple calyxes |
| Foliage | Tiny, scalloped, green to gray-green; minty-herbal scent when brushed |
| Size | 14 to 18 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June, repeats into early fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer and rabbit resistant |
Why catmint and lavender work
The two look like relatives. Both have gray-green, aromatic foliage and blue-violet flowers. The difference is texture: lavender holds its flowers on long, separate wands, while catmint makes a soft, solid haze. Planted together, the catmint fills in around the lavender's base and makes the whole bed look fuller. And because Purrsian Blue blooms over such a long season, there is still blue in the bed after you cut your lavender.
Its compact habit matters here. Older catmints can flop onto lavender and smother its airflow. Purrsian Blue stays rounded, so you can plant it close without crowding. Edging a lavender walk with it is a classic for good reason. Plan spacing in the Companion Plant Planner.
The midsummer shear
- Let the first big flush of bloom fade in early summer.
- Shear the whole plant back by about a third to a half.
- Water if dry. Fresh growth and a new round of flowers follow, often lasting into fall.
The shear also keeps it tight in humid heat, when crowded plants can open up in the center. Shearing is a good moment to trim your lavender too; the Lavender Pruning Calendar has the timing.
Year-round care
- Soil: lean to average and well drained. Hot, rich or overwatered sites make it sprawl.
- Problems: few. Root rot in wet soil is the main risk.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan with good drainage. Leave stems standing and cut back in early spring once new growth appears.
Plug tray or bare root
Purrsian Blue comes as a 72-cell plug tray for long edges and mass plantings, and as a bare root plant for direct planting. It also does well in containers. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Will my cats roll in it?
Some cats show interest in catmint, though it is a different plant from catnip. If you have enthusiastic cats, plant a few extra.
Is it the same as catnip?
No. Catnip is a different Nepeta species. Purrsian Blue is an ornamental catmint, grown for its flowers rather than for eating.
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