Garden Win: Chartreuse On the Loose Nepeta - September 2025

Back in May, I planted three small quart-sized containers of a new (to me) Nepeta named Chartreuse on the Loose.  I put them in near the timbers of the retaining wall for the pizza oven that is a part-sun spot.  It gets shade all morning, then full sun from late morning (as the sun comes over our house) until mid-afternoon (when the sun hides behind the canopy of the large trees in our backyard).  

When they were planted, the three plants looked small.  And far apart from each other.  

Now, four-plus-months later, here is what those same three small plug-like plants look like (below):  a colony of Nepeta.

Back in the original post, I included this plant description from Walter's Garden on this variety of Nepeta:

'Chartreuse on the Loose' is a perennial with season long interest perfect for lining the front of the border. The foliage allows for a full three seasons of interest with bright chartreuse yellow leaves. Clusters of lavender blue flowers are produced just above the foliage and appear all summer long. Unlike most catmint, 'Charteuse on the Loose' will continue to produce flowers without being cut back.

With one growing season under our belts, how did it do?

Long season interest?  I'd say:  yes.  It is late September and it still looks good.

Blue flowers all Summer?  Yes.  Here's a post from July where I showed it re-blooming.   

Didn't need to cut back?  Yep.  Didn't touch it.  

I'm calling this a gardening win.

#15 on my 2025 to-do list was to 'lean into what is working plant-wise'.  That means planting MORE of what is working, not net new varieties.  

On my 'what's working' list (right now) are:

1.  Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'

2.  Autumn Moor Grass

3.  Allium Serendipity

4.  Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass

5.  Hackonechloa Macra Grasses (Straight variety + All Golds)

6.  Sun King Aralia - Japanese Spikenard

7.  Astilbes.  Both Fanal and Dark Side of the Moon.

8.  Cat's Pajamas Nepeta

9.  (Now) Chartreuse on the Loose Nepeta

As I think about what comes next, more of these and more mass plantings and more repetition with annuals (Coleus and Polka Dot Plants) in the back garden.