Nepeta 'Catwalk Queen' - Premium Quart

Nepeta 'Catwalk Queen' | PPAF CPBRAF | Catmint

Proven Winners® | 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year | Zones 3-9

Why Catwalk Queen is Trending in 2026 Gardens

• 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year — the industry’s highest honor, awarded for superior performance across every growing condition
• Massive bloom revolution — lavender-blue flower spikes more than twice the size of typical catmints for dramatic, show-stopping impact
• Extended season performer — blooms from early summer through fall, 4-5 months of continuous color when most perennials are done
• Pollinator crisis solution — irresistible to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout the entire bloom season
• Deer and rabbit resistant — aromatic minty foliage naturally deters browsing wildlife without sprays or fencing
• Drought-tolerant landscaping trend — thrives in full sun and dry conditions once established, perfect for low-water gardens
• Compact powerhouse — tidy 10-12" habit fits borders, edging, containers, and small spaces without staking or flopping

What This Plant Does For You

• Delivers 4-5 months of massive lavender-blue blooms that transform borders, pathways, and containers into stunning showcases
• Creates a living pollinator sanctuary that buzzes with butterfly, bee, and hummingbird activity from early summer through fall
• Eliminates the frustration of short-blooming perennials — Catwalk Queen keeps going when everything else has faded
• Protects your garden investment with natural deer and rabbit resistance — no sprays, no fencing, no frustration
• Returns reliably each spring in zones 3-9, building into a larger, more floriferous clump year after year
• Fills the garden with a subtle minty fragrance that adds sensory dimension beyond just visual beauty

Plant Highlights

• Botanical Name: Nepeta 'Catwalk Queen' PPAF CPBRAF
• Brand: Proven Winners®
• Award: 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year
• Hardiness Zones: 3-9 (cold hardy to -40°F, heat tolerant through zone 9)
• Landscape Ready Size: Proven Winners® Premium 1 Gallon — Ready to Ship
• Budget Starter Size: Proven Winners® Premium Quart — Ready to Ship
• Mature Height: 10-12"
• Mature Width: 18-20"
• Growth Rate: Fast — fills in quickly
• Habit: Compact, dense, non-flopping, no staking required
• Bloom Color: Dark lavender-blue to purple flower spikes
• Bloom Size: More than twice the size of typical catmints
• Bloom Season: Early summer through fall (4-5 months continuous)
• Fragrance: Subtle minty scent — foliage and flowers
• Foliage: Gray-green, aromatic, deciduous
• Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours) for best flowering
• Water Needs: Average during establishment; drought tolerant once established
• Soil Preference: Well-drained; tolerates poor soil; avoid soggy conditions
• Deer Resistant: Yes — aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits
• Pollinator Friendly: Yes — butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
• Pet Safe: Yes — non-toxic (cats love the aromatic foliage!)
• Grown by: The Plant Factory

Premium Features & Solutions

Choose Your Size — Both Are Award-Winning
Premium 1 Gallon — Landscape Ready: Our fully finished, field-grown specimen arrives with a mature root system and established crown — the same quality stock professional landscapers specify for immediate impact. Establishes in 3-4 weeks, blooms the first season, and delivers a finished, professional look from day one. This is not a starter plant — it’s a landscape-ready perennial.

Premium Quart — Budget-Friendly Starter: The smart entry point for gardeners who want the same award-winning Proven Winners® genetics at a lower price point. Vigorous nursery-grown stock with an established root system that blooms the first season. Perfect for mass plantings where you need multiple plants, or for gardeners who enjoy the satisfaction of growing from a smaller start. Establishes in 5-6 weeks and delivers the same long-term performance as the 1-gallon at a more accessible price.

2021 Perennial Plant of the Year — What That Means
The Perennial Plant Association selects one plant annually based on superior performance, ease of care, pest and disease resistance, and wide adaptability across all growing zones. Catwalk Queen won in 2021 because it outperforms every other catmint on the market: massive blooms twice the size of competitors, 4-5 months of continuous color, compact non-flopping habit, exceptional drought tolerance, and reliable deer resistance. This award is not given lightly — it represents the best perennial available that year.

Massive Blooms — Twice the Impact
Catwalk Queen’s lavender-blue flower spikes are more than twice the size of typical catmints. Where standard catmint produces delicate, airy sprays, Catwalk Queen delivers bold, dense flower spikes that create dramatic visual impact from across the yard. The dark lavender-blue color is rich and saturated — exactly the statement color that makes borders and containers stop traffic.

4-5 Months of Continuous Color
Most perennials bloom for 2-4 weeks. Catwalk Queen blooms from early summer through fall — 4-5 months of continuous lavender-blue color. Deadhead spent blooms in midsummer for a vigorous second flush, or let it rebloom naturally. Either way, this is the perennial that keeps delivering when everything else has faded.

Drought Tolerance — Built for Real Gardens
Once established, Catwalk Queen is highly drought tolerant and actually prefers dry conditions. Perfect for xeriscaping, rock gardens, low-water landscapes, or any area that doesn’t get regular irrigation. The 1-gallon size establishes faster, reaching drought tolerance sooner and requiring less supplemental watering during the critical first season.

Natural Deer and Rabbit Resistance
The aromatic minty foliage that smells wonderful to humans is strongly disliked by deer and rabbits. Plant with confidence in high-pressure areas where other perennials get browsed. No sprays, no fencing, no frustration — just beautiful blooms that wildlife leaves alone.

Pollinator Powerhouse
Butterflies, honey bees, bumblebees, and hummingbirds are irresistibly drawn to the massive lavender-blue blooms. The extended 4-5 month bloom season means your garden supports pollinators from early summer through fall — critical habitat during peak pollinator activity periods when other nectar sources are scarce.

Smart Growing Guide

For Beginner Gardeners — Step-by-Step Success:

Step 1: Choose Your Location
Select a spot with full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun equals more blooms and sturdier stems. Good drainage is essential; avoid spots where water pools after rain. Catwalk Queen tolerates poor soil but must have good drainage — soggy soil is its only real enemy.

Step 2: Prepare the Planting Hole
Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide. Backfill with native soil — no need to amend heavily. Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with surrounding soil. Never bury the crown.

Step 3: Plant and Space Correctly
Space plants 18-20 inches apart for mass plantings or border edging. Firm soil gently around the root ball to eliminate air pockets, then water thoroughly after planting.

Step 4: Water Through Establishment
Water regularly during the first few weeks until the plant establishes. The 1-gallon landscape-ready size typically establishes in 3-4 weeks; the budget quart in 5-6 weeks. Once established, allow soil to dry between waterings — avoid overwatering, which is the most common mistake with this plant.

Step 5: Mulch Lightly
Apply a light 1-2" layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it away from the crown. Mulch conserves moisture during establishment and suppresses weeds. Avoid heavy mulching which can retain too much moisture around the crown.

Step 6: Deadhead for More Blooms
Shear spent blooms by half in early to midsummer to promote vigorous reblooming and maintain a tidy shape. This simple step dramatically extends the bloom season and keeps the plant looking fresh and full.

Step 7: Annual Maintenance
In late fall or early spring, cut back stems to just above ground level. Apply our SR-18-5-10 slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Every 2-3 years, divide overcrowded clumps in early spring to maintain vigor.

For Advanced Gardeners — Technical Details:

Nepeta 'Catwalk Queen' performs optimally in USDA zones 3-9 with full solar exposure (minimum 6 hours direct insolation). Soil drainage is the critical cultural requirement — pH tolerance is broad (6.0-7.5) but anaerobic soil conditions cause rapid crown rot and plant decline. Amend heavy clay with coarse grit or raised bed culture to ensure adequate drainage.

The 1-gallon landscape-ready size provides a substantially larger root-to-shoot ratio than quart stock, accelerating establishment timeline and improving first-season drought tolerance. Expect full establishment within 3-4 weeks for 1-gallon stock versus 5-6 weeks for quart stock. First-season bloom production is typically superior in 1-gallon plants. The premium quart is an excellent budget-conscious choice for mass plantings where multiple plants are needed and cost per unit matters.

Flowering occurs on current season’s growth. Primary bloom flush in early summer (May-June in most zones). Shearing spent flower spikes by one-half in midsummer stimulates vigorous vegetative regrowth and secondary bloom initiation within 3-4 weeks. Secondary bloom is often as robust as the primary flush. A third light bloom may occur in early fall in zones 5-9.

Aromatic foliage contains nepetalactone and related volatile compounds that attract cats and repel deer, rabbits, and many insect pests. Division every 2-3 years in early spring maintains clump vigor. Cultivar is patent pending (PPAF, CPBRAF) — unauthorized propagation prohibited.

Pro Tips for Maximum Impact

• Size Strategy: Choose the 1-gallon for immediate landscape impact and fastest establishment; choose the budget quart for mass plantings of 5+ plants where cost per unit matters
• Mass Planting on a Budget: Use the premium quart size to create large drifts of 7-10+ plants at a lower total investment — they’ll fill in beautifully within one season
• Landscape Ready Impact: Plant 1-gallon specimens in groups of 3, 5, or 7 for immediate, finished-landscape results that look established from day one
• Border Edging: Plant along the front of perennial borders or pathway edges where the compact 10-12" height creates a tidy, colorful ribbon of color all season
• Companion Planting: Pair with roses, lavender, salvia, coneflowers, or ornamental grasses for stunning combinations with complementary bloom timing and color
• Rebloom Timing: Shear by half immediately after the primary bloom flush fades for the fastest rebloom turnaround — typically 3-4 weeks to second flowering
• Rock Garden Use: Excellent in rock gardens and xeriscaping where drainage is perfect and drought tolerance is essential
• Fragrance Placement: Plant along walkways or near seating areas where brushing against the foliage releases the pleasant minty scent
• Cat Garden: Plant a dedicated cat garden with Catwalk Queen, catnip, and valerian — your cats will thank you and the plants are completely safe
• Fertilizer Timing: Apply SR-18-5-10 once in early spring as buds swell. Avoid over-fertilizing — this plant thrives on lean conditions and excess nitrogen promotes foliage over flowers

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the difference between the quart and 1-gallon sizes?
A: The Premium Quart is our budget-friendly starter — same award-winning Proven Winners® genetics, vigorous nursery-grown stock, blooms the first season, and establishes in 5-6 weeks. The Premium 1 Gallon is our landscape-ready finished plant — larger root system, faster establishment (3-4 weeks), better first-season drought tolerance, and immediate visual impact. Choose the quart for budget-conscious mass plantings; choose the 1-gallon for instant landscape results.

Q: What makes the 1-gallon size “landscape ready”?
A: The Proven Winners® Premium 1 Gallon is a fully finished, field-grown specimen with a mature root system and established crown — the same quality stock professional landscapers specify for immediate results. It establishes in 3-4 weeks, blooms the first season, and delivers a finished, professional look from day one.

Q: Why did Catwalk Queen win Perennial Plant of the Year?
A: The Perennial Plant Association selected Catwalk Queen in 2021 for its superior performance across all growing zones: massive blooms twice the size of typical catmints, 4-5 months of continuous color, compact non-flopping habit, exceptional drought tolerance, deer resistance, and outstanding pollinator attraction.

Q: Will it bloom the first year?
A: Yes — both sizes bloom the first season. The 1-gallon landscape-ready size typically blooms sooner after planting due to its larger, more established root system.

Q: How do I get it to rebloom?
A: Shear spent flower spikes by half in midsummer — don’t just deadhead individual flowers. This more aggressive cut stimulates vigorous new growth and a robust second flush of blooms within 3-4 weeks.

Q: Is it really drought tolerant?
A: Yes — once established. Water regularly for the first 3-6 weeks (faster with the 1-gallon), then allow soil to dry between waterings. Catwalk Queen actually prefers dry conditions. Overwatering is the most common mistake.

Q: Will deer and rabbits eat it?
A: No. The aromatic minty foliage is strongly disliked by deer and rabbits. This is one of the most reliably deer-resistant perennials available across all zones.

Q: Is it safe for cats?
A: Yes — completely non-toxic. Cats are attracted to the aromatic foliage and may roll in it or rub against it. This is harmless to both the cat and the plant.

Q: Can I grow it in containers?
A: Yes. The compact 10-12" size is ideal for containers 12"+ wide. Use well-draining potting mix, ensure drainage holes, and water more frequently than in-ground plants.

Q: How cold hardy is it?
A: Hardy to zone 3 (-40°F) — one of the most cold-tolerant perennials available. It returns reliably each spring across the entire continental United States and most of Canada.

Ordering & Shipping Information

Processing Time: Orders are typically processed within 1-3 business days. Orders placed after 4:00 PM Wednesday through Sunday ship the following Monday.

Shipping Protection: Plant Factory Direct uses premium shipping processes to ensure your plants arrive healthy and ready to thrive. We monitor weather conditions and may temporarily hold shipments during temperature extremes (below 34°F or above 95°F) to protect plant viability.

Seasonal Expectations: Plant size and appearance vary by season. Spring plants may be trimmed for optimal transplant success. Blooms are often removed before shipping as they don’t travel well. All plants are hand-selected for vigorous root systems and future performance potential.

What Makes Plant Factory Direct Different: We grow our plants right here at our nursery using top-tier horticultural practices. Our knowledgeable staff selects your plants with the same care we’d use for our own landscapes. We’re committed to exceptional “out of the box” experiences, responsive customer service, and rapid issue resolution.

Care Recommendation: Fertilize in early spring with our SR-18-5-10 slow-release fertilizer. Shear by half in midsummer after the primary bloom flush for vigorous reblooming. Use Root Booster at planting for faster establishment and improved drought tolerance.