LITTLE TRUDY®: long-awaited compact catmint
LITTLE TRUDY® catmint is a long-awaited compact catmint that is well-suited to our regional climate. Its long-blooming, deep lavender flowers attract bees and butterflies. The lavender hue goes well with yellow, pink, rose, or white flowers. Suggested garden companions are: SILVER BLADE® Evening Primrose, Starburst Ice Plant, RED ROCKS® Penstemon, and LAVENDER MIST® Sun Daisy.
The aromatic foliage is grayish-green and finely textured. This can soften the effects of bolder foliage plants such as hostas and the lighter color of the leaves can tone down the deep greens of plumbago or vinca. The aroma is irresistible to cats, often found curled up and napping beside (or on top of!) this plant. Many people also enjoy the aroma, so plant close to a sidewalk or patio for maximum enjoyment.
This low-grower is ideal at the front of a border. Its spreading habit makes it useful as a non-invasive groundcover. As an edging plant, its gentle creeping habit can be used to soften the harsh lines of a sidewalk or driveway.
LITTLE TRUDY®‘s adaptability to dry conditions or moderate watering makes it a valuable addition to the landscape. Flowers will be more abundant if grown in full sun, but it will also thrive in partial shade. Consider these outstanding ornamental characteristics, versatile garden uses, and superb adaptation to various climates and add it to your garden.
View the plant profile here.
LITTLE TRUDY® Catmint (Nepeta ‘Psfike’PP18,904)
Perennial
Height: 8-10 inches
Width: 12-16 inches
Blooms: April to October
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Moisture: Moderate to xeric
Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9
Culture: Sandy soil, clay, or loam
Thanks to Brian Core, Little Valley Wholesale Nursery, for writing this piece.
[…] Little Trudy Catmint from Plant Select […]
Last year I purchased two of these plants from a nursery. in Santa Fe. They have grown and bloomed beautifully however, I have noticed some reseeding. I’ve read that Little Trudy Catmint seeds are sterile. Can you explain?
I did notice that the plastic labels on the plants were not the typical “Plant Select” labels that I usually see. Could it be that they are not the Plant Select Little Trudy variety?
The plant was probably true to its label. The tags can look different if the nursery makes there own tags, but it still should have the PS logo on there. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced some seeding as well, but not enough to be a problem. You may be experiencing more seedlings because of a very moist spring.
Hello. I am planning to replace a hedge of Hidcote lavender with Little Trudy nepeta. Do you know where it might be possible to purchase approximately 35 or so plants in the UK?
Wick’s may carry it. Box stores over here do. Try contacting one of our international growersinternational growers and see who they sell it to. Happy gardening! Cheers!
In the photo (on the previous screen on my computer) do you know what the low chartreuse colored plant is pictured alongside the Little Trudy Catmint? It is such a nice compliment to the catmint as well as other violet colored flowers.
I think those are species tulips. Maybe Tulip tarda.
I have had great success with Walker’s Low catmint, cutting it back up to 4X per year and having dramatic reblooming. Will Little Trudy respond well to deadheading and reblooming?
Yes, Enjoy!
Will this plant grow in a clay desert landscape, to replace kochia that we are currently removing? No irrigation available, but accessible for hand watering to establish.
Little Trudy is a tough plant, but I don’t think you’ll appreciate it if it does not get any water. Minimal watering is needed after establishment and if you can continue that, it will fit that spot perfect.
I’m finding that as the climate heats up, some of my plants simply can’t take the hotter summer– so I’m replacing them with plants that (hopefully) will tolerate summer heat better. I live in Sunset Climate Zone 23, USDA Zone 10, and we have about 10 days of heat over 86 deg. F. Half a dozen of those days are over 100 deg. F., and this year the ‘Biokovo’ and ‘St Alba’ cranesbill bit the dust! So I’m thinking of planting the ‘Little Trudy’ catmint where the cranesbill were– the area gets low to moderate water, mulched loam-clay soil, and morning full sun. Am I crazy of will this work??
This could work. The little Trudy may be overwhelmed with humidity and miss its dormant period and not live but a few years. Let us know how it goes!