My first post among you fine folk! First, as a birding enthuiast and gardener, I found out something interesting about catnip. The goldfinches that frequent my thistle feeder also go crazy for the seeded heads of the catnip plant! I never knew they were interested and I used to cut the heads off. Now I keep them on just to watch the little ones crowd all over the plant. Also, I want to spread the word about Lemon Verbena, a lovely and useful plant. It's great as a tea and it smells very nice even if you brush up against the plant. Keep it in a large pot on the patio, cut the brances down in the fall like a rose bush, then bring the pot indoors for the winter. It will start growing again!
Hi julesli and welcome to the site. I also love the lemon verbina and use it a bit in cooking but it is toxic to the body if too much is consumed. You may wish to read up on it. I use it mostly for the fine aroma which holds quite well when dried. I use it inside a sash to tie back curtains.
For the lemon scent in consumption I much prefer lemon grass.
Ah, you say catnip and I say catmint. ...."You say potato, I say patata....." (It's an old song. Showing my age, I guess!)
Anyway, was never 100% certain about the differences between catnip and catmint (or Nepata). Basically, they're minimal to none, and a lot depends on whether you're a European grower or tending it in the USA.
My smaller varietes, which I started from seed, are the earliest perennial herb to flower each spring. The sky blue-lt.purplish wands are great to dry. (They get a bit darker as they dry.)
The "Six Hills Giant" (a nepata), which I ordered from Bluestone Perennials about three years ago, has so far been divided three times. Each one is about 3' X 3'. Beautiful mini-shrub!
Oh, and the neighborhood cats seem to prefer the "Giants". Makes for a larger, softer bed in which they can crash and enjoy the buzz! B-)
gardenz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices. To be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill, and suspicion can destroy, and the frightened, thoughtless search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own: for the children, and the children yet unborn." Blogs: OurGardenEarth GardenzOwn
Posts: 2509 | Location: Linda in N.J./Zones 7 & "Twilight" | Registered: February 11, 2002
Thanks for all the replies! Yes, my catnip/mint plant flowers and my two cats leave it alone as long as I don't bruise a leaf right next to them. After the goldfinches are done with the seeds, I'll harvest the plant for later use. As for the Lemon Verbena plant, I do recall something about it being toxic, but you'd have to use insane amounts of it for it to be harmful. I used to be married to a moroccan and they drink the stuff with mint like we drink black tea. Often! I like your suggestion about the lemon grass and I will try it this coming growing season!
Welcome Julesli, Glad to have ya on board. And If I could aford it, I'd have come down here and work with me. Would love to get some help, as I do my gardening by myself. (Except for the tilling, DH does that. I cann't move the tiller myself.) LOL
Catnip and catmint are the same thing. It belongs to the mint familly. So does Lemmon Verbina.
No cat nip doesn't attact cats but the cats will attact it. My cat used to roll around in it. Most cats like catnip.
Actually, Lemon Verbena is very easy to grow. I kept it in a pot on my deck. A big one mind you since it's very bushy and tall. About the end of august I cut it down, tied the branches together and hung it for drying. What remained of the bush I brought inside and water it like a regular houseplant. It's growing again inside!
