The genus name, from Latin nepeta (“catnip”), is reportedly in reference to Nepete, an ancient Etruscan city.

[1] The genus is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and has also naturalized in North America.

The tubular flowers can be lavender, blue, white, pink, or lilac, and spotted with tiny lavender-purple dots.

They can be drought tolerant – water conserving, often deer repellent, with long bloom periods from late spring to autumn.

Some species also have repellent properties to insect pests, including aphids and squash bugs, when planted in a garden.