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Cat mint / Nepeta
I'm thinking of buying some nepeta, but I'm wondering whether it will attract next doors cats into the garden ? Which I certainly don't want.
We have lots of foxes that play in the garden, currently a vixen and 4 cubs. would they trash it.
What is everyone's thoughts ? I'm thinking it would be a good space filler, but I don't want cat poop from next door suddenly to start appearing. So far they pretty much stay out of the garden and that's how I'd like it kept.
Let me know your experiences. Thank you.
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I've put in a whole load this year and haven't had a problem but it is a long way away from the boundary
Have you thought about some Russian sage instead? I know it's lacking the smell and it's a shrub but the flower colour is very similar and you won't have the cat issue
no I hadn't, thank you will look into that.
Hi peanuts, not all cats are attracted by nepeta.
Mine loves it so I grew some from seed last year and kept it in a pot alongside my herbs on a shelf by the back door. Looked out one morning to see the big bully boy tom from 3 doors down had tipped the whole pot out and was rolling about on the patio in a mangle of leaves, roots and soil having a fine old time.
Have grown again this year but have extra plants so I can give one to my neighbour for her own garden.
A tip I read on the forum was to put an empty hanging basket cage over your plant to stop it getting squashed. The stems simply grow through the gaps.
That made me laugh Imagining the sight. Even bully cats cant resist.
GFF: It was funny at the time, shame he wrecked my plant though.
He's a pain in the backside though as he's always hanging out in my garden, scaring my old girl who's 14 and just wants a bit of peace and quiet.
The worst is when he's out at 11pm facing off with a funny looking white stray, yeowling at the top of their voices right outside my front door. I'm sure most of the street are cursing me when it's not even my cat.
Bully cats are horrible Kitty. Where we used to live there was a massive black fluff ball that used to terrorise our cat, we called him Cat Monster. Hateful beast. I feel your pain.
I have 5 cats and one thriving Nepeta, not one of them has ever been interested in it. Now Achillea that's a different matter, can't keep them from eating it!!
Last edited: 14 June 2016 12:55:50
Ironic this subject popped up today. Just caught him with one I planted in the garden last week.
Look what's left compared with one still in it's little pot. He's uprooted the whole thing himself.
Isn't it just Nepeta cataria (Catnip) that cats like, cause it contains nepetalactone, where as most Nepeta bought for their folliage/flowers don't contain this chemical so have no effect on cats what so ever?