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Trailing nepeta

KmehKmeh Posts: 173
in Plants
Hello

I have underplanted my Camelia with a trailing nepeta. The Camelia sits in a smaller pot and the trailing nepeta is planted around the edges of the Camelia pot. See pic.

I’ve been really pleased with how’s it performed - however it’s now getting pretty thuggish and sending out runners into the Camelia. Camellias were v expensive and I don’t want anything to impinge upon their health.

Should I cut it back, move it? Assuming it’s a perennial likes it’s flowering cousins? 

Any advice gratefully appreciated.


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Posts

  • KmehKmeh Posts: 173

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Kmeh I think it is an annual. I would thin it out and enjoy until the end of Autumn. I doubt it will affect your Camellia but I would ensure it doesn't become pot bound.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I think I would remove it as it looks like your Camellia is suffering from competition for light, water and nutrients by the slightly discoloured look of its leaves. There looks like another plant there too.  I find that shrubs look and fare better singly in pots. You can add extra interest by topping the pot with decorative washed pebbles or slate.  Also, an ericaceous soil based compost is best for Camellias in pots.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • KmehKmeh Posts: 173
    Thank you for the replies. 

    Camelia is in a single pot (with ericaceous compost) within a very large planter. The nepeta (and salvia) are planted in the larger pot as under planting. The nepeta seems to be sending out surface runners. 

    Think I will thin and dig out the runners!
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    I don't know where you live but I would dig it out and split it into multiple pots and if you have a greenhouse it could survive there overwinter then take cuttings or split again in spring to increase your stock. I do this every year and gain new multiple plantings for hanging baskets and pots

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • KmehKmeh Posts: 173
    Thank you. Do you think it’s a perennial @Kili? 
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    edited August 2023
    According to the RHS website Nepeta is a perennial but , I'm not sure which plant were talking about in your photo. If its the plant with green and cream leaves I'm not sure that's Nepeta. Maybe someone else can confirm what it is

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    The plant in the picture, trailing nepeta, is a variegated form of Glechoma hederaceae (AKA ground ivy, and probably other common names) and is apparently perennial although normally sold as a hanging basket plant. https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/nepeta-hederaceae-variegata/classid.2000047886/sku.rh30006296/ says "Cut back untidy foliage before new leaves emerge in spring. Divide every 2-3 years. Can be grown as a spreading ground cover but may become invasive."
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • KmehKmeh Posts: 173
    Thanks both!
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I have tried in the past to get this plant through the winter outside but with no luck here in the Midlands. One year a small piece survived but it was very slow. Here without over winter protection it behaves more like an annual.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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