Faassenii Sylvester Blue, also known as Catmint, is a perennial landscape plant hybrid of N. racemosa x N. nepetella. Those hybrids were first cultivated in the Netherlands by J. H. Faassen. This cultivar offers a dense, sturdy habit and prolific large flowers. It has an upright habit of 12-14" tall and 24-30" wide, with blue-purple flowers blooming from early summer to mid-fall. Unlike traditional Catnip or Kit Kat Catmint, this variety is not as attractive to cats and also resists deer and attracts pollinators. It thrives in full sun and tolerates drought even in rocky soil. Perennial in zone 3-8, Sylvester Blue brings color and texture as a groundcover or in containers and borders all summer.
Faassenii Sylvester Blue Selling Tips
Sell Faassenii Sylvester Blue to customers looking for a low-maintenance plant for a border or container. Many customers need to fill in landscaping around their homes without adding to their gardening routine. This plant offers lasting blue blooms and green foliage but requires little more than average water and soil. It is hardy in zone 3-8, tolerates almost any pH and mild drought, and can be grown in any well-draining location. Create an attractive cottage garden by planting Nepeta alongside roses, ornamental grass, beebalm, Leucanethemum Victorian Secret, Coreopsis Auriculata nana, and yellow foxglove. For a smaller variety, offer Nepeta Kubanica Neptune, which reaches just 8-12" tall. For containers or groundcover where a trailing variety would be more suitable, offer Nepeta Purple Haze.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 20-24" apart in well-drained soil in full sun.
2. This plant doesn't self-propagate. Divide clumps every few years to propagate new plants in the landscape.
3. Water moderately in the weeks after planting. This plant is fairly drought tolerant once it establishes a healthy root system.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Faassenii Sylvester Blue, plant one rooted liner per 4-inch container or three per 10-inch basket. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8-6.2, EC of 1.8-2.2, and light feed (100-150 ppm N). Maintain temperatures of 65-75 and use daylight extension to 14 hours. This plant isn't prone to disease or pests and doesn't require PGRs or pinching. You may see aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.
Flowering
Large blue flowers bloom from June through September.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration to the base of each plant.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require PGRs.
Pests
You may see aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, but this plant isn't prone to harm by pests.
Disease
This plant isn't prone to disease. Avoid powdery mildew by watering at the base of each plant in the morning, allowing the soil to dry between waterings, and providing good airflow in your greenhouse.
Planting Faassenii Sylvester Blue Liners
We recommend planting one rooted plug per 4-inch container or three per 10-inch basket. Evenly space or center the plugs in well-drained soil and completley bury the ellepot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Nepeta Faassenii Sylvester Blue Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 4-6 Weeks |
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| 10 Inch crop time | 5-7 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Fall, Summer |
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| Color | Blue |
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| Habit | Upright |
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| Height | 12-14 Inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 55 |
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| Perennial Zone | 3-8 |
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| Water Needs | Light |
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| Patented Plant | Yes |
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