Introducing “Little Titch,” also known by its proper name Nepeta Racemosa (mussinii), this little beauty is a dwarf member of the catmint family.  It is also called “Persian catmint.”

Its silvery-green foliage gives an impression of a light misty dew perpetually resting on the leaves. 

As a dwarf, it only reaches a height of up to 10 inches and a spread of slightly more.  It is not invasive as some other mints.  This is the perfect plant for your rock garden or border.  The foliage perfectly complements a stone background.

Little Titch will bloom perpetually from early to mid-spring through the fall if you deadhead it periodically.  It can handle a good trim if necessary and will rebound with more purple to blue flowers.  The plants can be divided every few years.

Plant it in a well-drained area with plenty of direct sun and it will be happy.  Once it’s established, you can ignore it and it will be just fine.  It is both drought- and salt-tolerant and does wellin USDA zones 4 to 8.

Living in northern New Jersey, I am thrilled to say that the aromatic foliage makes this plant rabbit- and deer-resistant!  It will attract plenty of butterflies and other pollenators.  The leaves are sometimes added to potpourri to improve the scent.

In olden times, parts of the plant had many medicinal uses including treatment of digestive problems, a sleep-inducer, destroying intestinal parasites and as a topical treatment for some skin issues.  

Don’t call this plant “catnip.”  While catnip is a member of the mint family, it is a distinct plant with very different growth habits than Little Titch.

With the right location, Little Titch is a plant that you will love for years!

By Susan Broderick for Dabah Landscape Designs