A classic cottage garden favourite, Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ is a vigorous, upright variety of catmint known for its tall, arching stems and soft lavender-blue flowers, which appear in generous sprays throughout summer. The aromatic, grey-green foliage adds texture and scent, making it a favourite for borders, pollinator planting, and companion planting with roses. Long-flowering and low-maintenance, it’s ideal for adding movement and a hazy softness to sunny garden spaces.
Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’, commonly known as Giant Catmint, is prized for its height, generous flowering, and ability to attract bees and butterflies throughout the warmer months.
Perennial
Upright, Flowering, Summer–Autumn Interest
Flowers: June–September
Foliage: Spring–Autumn
Scientific Name
Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (named after the Six Hills nursery in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, where this cultivar was selected)
Synonyms
Occasionally listed as Nepeta faassenii ‘Six Hills Giant’, though this is not a true faassenii hybrid
Common Name
Giant Catmint
Origin
Garden cultivar; parent species native to Europe and western Asia
Pruning Tips
Shear back by half after the first flush of flowers to encourage fresh growth and a second round of blooming. Cut back fully in late autumn or early spring.
Wildlife Value
Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Positioning
Full sun preferred, though it tolerates light shade. Ideal for borders, gravel gardens, and naturalistic planting schemes.
Water
Drought-tolerant once established. Water young plants until settled, then only during prolonged dry spells.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential. Prefers light, sandy or chalky soils. Avoid waterlogged ground.
Food
Little feeding required. A mulch of compost in spring is usually sufficient to support flowering.
Pet-safe
Generally considered non-toxic, though some cats may be attracted to and roll in the plant.
Sprouts Top Tips
Pair with roses, echinacea, or ornamental grasses for a long-flowering, bee-friendly border with a soft, romantic feel and great movement in the breeze.
