Known as catnips or catmints because of their effect on cats, nepeta is a flowering plant known for its fragrant gray-green foliage and white, blue, pink, and lilac flowers clustered at the tip of the stems. Interesting because of cats' reaction to their smell, catmints also are thought to repel deer and mosquitoes.

Some types of cats have a pheremonal reaction to the smell of bruised leaves or stems of catnip. When this happens, the cat may roll over the plant, paw, lick, and chew on it, leap about, and purr. In a few minutes the cat will lose interest, but in a couple of hours will return and react to the catmint all over again. Kittens and older cats, however, are less likely to put on this display.

From true catnip (Nepeta cataria) to the Faasenii hybrids and species such as Nepeta govaniana and Nepeta nervosa, these plants are well suited to the perennial border. If sheared after blooming, they will often send up another round of flowers. They are easy to grow and will find a place in any sunny to slightly shady garden. And while tolerant of some drought, given even moisture, they will thrive for seasons to come.