Nepeta
Catmints, is an invaluable group of plants which we grow throughout our dry garden and others areas with full sun and an average soil. Their silver-green leaves can provide a contrast to darker leaved plants like Cistus, Dictamnus. Many make attractive rounded hummocks of aromatic foliage, perfect for a border edge. Taller forms are available, with fountains of flowers lasting for weeks. Colours normally blue or white, but stretching to purple, yellow and pink. There are many form available to the gardener, plus there are 250 or so species across Europe and Asia. Full sun is their preferred situation, but some be fine in light shade, particularly N. govaniana.
All Nepeta species are a valuable source of nectar and pollen to a range of pollinators over an extended summer season; those with larger flowers can accommodate bumblebees, while those with smaller flowers support smaller bees and other insects. They are also larval foodplants for the small, very attractive, mint moth, along with a range of other moth caterpillars.
The foliage of catmint is of interest to cats, so much so it may leave them in a narcotic stupor and occasionally the plant a little worse for wear!