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You want a true Nepeta catmint that returns reliably year after year, provides months of blue-purple color, and attracts every pollinator in the neighborhood without requiring constant attention. The wrong selection leaves you with a plant that flops, spreads too aggressively, or simply fails to thrive in your specific zone.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I spend my time digging through nursery catalogs, comparing USDA zone ratings, analyzing mature height and spread data, and studying thousands of verified owner reports to separate the proven performers from the weaklings.
This guide reviews five of the most popular options available to help you confidently choose the best nepeta catmint six hills giant for your specific garden conditions and design goals.
How To Choose The Best Nepeta Catmint Six Hills Giant
Selecting the right catmint starts with understanding the specific cultivar, not just the genus. “Six Hills Giant” is a specific hybrid Nepeta faassenii prized for its compact mounding habit and prolific blooming, but many common names get mixed up. Here is what to check before buying.
USDA Hardiness Zone Matching
Your zone determines whether the plant survives winter dormancy and returns in spring. “Six Hills Giant” reliably overwinters in zones 4 through 8. If you live in zone 3 you need a more cold-hardy variety like “Walker’s Low.” Check the product’s stated zone range against your local USDA zone before ordering.
Mature Height and Growth Habit
True “Six Hills Giant” reaches about 24 inches tall and spreads 30 inches wide, forming a dense rounded clump. Compact varieties like “Cat’s Meow” stay smaller at 17 inches, while “Walker’s Low” can stretch to 36 inches. Measure your planting space and decide whether you want a neat edge border or a larger ground-cover mass.
Bloom Period and Deadheading Needs
Most Nepeta catmints bloom from late spring through summer, but some require shearing after the first flush to rebloom. “Six Hills Giant” is sterile, meaning it flowers continuously without setting seed and rarely needs deadheading. If you want maximum rebloom with minimal effort, choose a sterile hybrid over a seed-producing species.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ | Premium | Compact containers & pollinator gardens | Mature height: 14 inches | Amazon |
| Greenwood ‘Walker’s Low’ (2-Pack) | Premium | Large borders & mass plantings | Mature height: 36 inches | Amazon |
| Proven Winners ‘Cat’s Meow’ | Mid-Range | Neat landscaping & low maintenance | Mature height: 17-20 inches | Amazon |
| Clovers Garden Catmint (2-Pack) | Value | Budget-friendly bulk planting | Plant height at shipping: 4-8 inches | Amazon |
| Green Promise Farms ‘Blue Wonder’ | Budget | Small starter plants & containers | Mature height: 12-15 inches | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’, Catmint Live Plant (Winter Greenhouse)
‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is a Proven Winners® release, meaning it went through extensive plant trials for disease resistance, heat tolerance, and consistent blooming. Unlike many catmints that require deadheading to keep flowering, this sterile hybrid produces lavender-blue blooms from spring through frost without any trimming. Its compact 14-inch mature height makes it an excellent choice for front-of-border placement or container growing on patios and porches.
The plant arrives as a live potted perennial from Winter Greenhouse, a small U.S.-based grower in northern Wisconsin with over 40 years in operation. Buyers consistently report receiving healthy, well-rooted specimens with blooms already present. The biodegradable and compostable packaging reflects a genuine sustainability effort, though the plant itself is the real story — it is heat and drought tolerant once established, and deer and rabbits largely avoid it.
Feedback from gardeners highlights the plant’s strong minty-lemon fragrance and its ability to draw butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. One verified purchaser noted their five cats showed minimal interest, making it safer around pets than true catnip. Be prepared for a relatively small starting size of 2 to 4 inches; it fills out quickly in full sun with well-draining soil.
What works
- Sterile hybrid blooms continuously without deadheading
- Compact 14-inch mature height ideal for small spaces
- U.S.-grown with biodegradable packaging
What doesn’t
- Shipped at only 2-4 inches, requires patience to reach full size
- Premium price for a single plant relative to bulk options
2. Greenwood Nursery ‘Walkers Low’ Catmint (2-Pack)
Greenwood Nursery’s offering is a two-pack of ‘Walker’s Low’ Nepeta faassenii, a classic perennial that reaches 2 to 3 feet tall at maturity with deep lavender-blue flower spikes. This is not the compact “Six Hills Giant” habit — it is a larger, more vigorous grower suited for filling mid-border space or creating a lush, pollinator-friendly drift. The plant is deciduous, meaning it dies back in winter and returns each spring from the root system.
The nursery’s packaging method stands out: potted plants are inspected, trimmed, and sleeved in craft paper with the soil secured inside, then stabilized in corrugated boxes with crunched paper. Most buyers report arrival in pristine condition with moist soil and vibrant green leaves. The Greenwood Guarantee provides a 14-day window from delivery to report issues, though a few customers noted that the pint pots contain relatively small plants that may take a full season to reach their listed height.
This catmint performs best in full sun with well-drained soil, and it is notably disease-resistant and drought-tolerant once established. Shearing the plant back after the first summer bloom flush encourages a second significant flowering wave. Keep in mind that some negative reviews describe one plant arriving with its soil dislodged, so while the majority experience is positive, ordering early in the season gives you time to replace if needed.
What works
- Two plants per order for better value in mass plantings
- Large mature height adds structure to garden borders
- Disease-resistant and drought-tolerant once established
What doesn’t
- Pint pots are relatively small; may take a season to mature
- Not suitable for zone 3 or for compact front-border use
3. Proven Winners ‘Cat’s Meow’ Catmint
‘Cat’s Meow’ from Proven Winners is a well-known mid-sized Nepeta offering a tidy, mounded habit that stays within 17 to 20 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. It fits the sweet spot between the compact ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ and the sprawling ‘Walker’s Low’. It is a sterile plant, meaning it does not produce unwanted seedlings and the spent flower spikes drop cleanly without needing manual deadheading — a strong convenience factor for busy gardeners.
The plant ships in a 0.65-gallon container with a 2-ounce packet of controlled-release fertilizer included, giving it a nutrient boost for six months. Buyers report that the plant is typically 6 to 14 inches tall at shipment and arrives well-watered and healthy despite occasional box damage during transit. One reviewer noted the bushier-than-expected appearance and pleasant mint-and-lemon fragrance, and saw blooms within a month of planting in full sun.
Hardy in zones 3 through 8, this catmint requires a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators without appealing to deer. The primary tradeoff is the price — it sits in the mid-range tier, and some gardeners find it slightly expensive for the size received at delivery, though the proven genetics and reliable performance justify the cost for most.
What works
- Self-cleaning sterile habit — no deadheading required
- Comes with slow-release fertilizer for six months of feeding
- Hardy in zones 3-8 with strong deer resistance
What doesn’t
- Box can arrive damaged; inspect promptly
- Price per plant is higher than multipack alternatives
4. Clovers Garden Catmint (2-Pack)
Clovers Garden offers a two-pack of catmint plants that ship at 4 to 8 inches tall in 4-inch pots. This is a pure value play: you get two small but healthy, non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free plants that are ready to transplant immediately. The seller emphasizes 10x root development, which should help the plants handle transplant shock and establish faster than typical starter plugs.
Buyers living in warmer zones — the product is listed for all US zones — report that the plants flowered within a week of planting in full sun, even under drought and heat stress. The packaging is eco-friendly, using a 100% recyclable box, and a Quick Start Planting Guide is included. However, the plant height at delivery is genuinely small, so this is not a choice for instant landscape impact. It is a long-term investment that requires patience and consistent watering during the first season.
The primary concern raised by some buyers is that the plant can become a magnet for outdoor cats, who may flatten the foliage by lying on it. One reviewer reported that a cat’s repeated attention caused the plant to decline and die. If you have free-roaming neighborhood cats, consider a protected location or a different, less attractive variety.
What works
- Two plants per order at a low per-plant cost
- Quick establishment with 10x root development system
- Non-GMO and no neonicotinoids
What doesn’t
- Very small at shipping (4-8 inches); no immediate visual impact
- Attracts local cats that may damage the foliage
5. Green Promise Farms ‘Blue Wonder’ Catmint
Green Promise Farms’ ‘Blue Wonder’ is a compact catmint cultivar that stays low at 12 to 15 inches tall with a 14- to 20-inch spread. It is delivered in a #1 Size Container — a standard nursery pot that is fully rooted and ready for immediate planting. The blue flowers appear from spring through fall, and the plant’s pleasant aromatic foliage is both deer-resistant and attractive to butterflies.
Buyers generally receive the plant in good condition, with packaging that keeps the soil intact and leaves green. Several verified purchasers described the plant as “hardy” and appreciated its performance in natural wildflower garden settings. One detailed review highlighted the importance of unpacking immediately upon delivery, as the soil can arrive dry despite the leaves looking healthy. The recommended planting window is early spring or fall when temperatures are moderate.
The main drawback is the potential for misrepresentation: one reviewer received a plant that was only 4 inches tall despite the listing’s implied size, describing it as “not at all as presented.” The product is suited for USDA zones 4 through 8 and prefers sandy soil with full sun. For budget-conscious buyers seeking a compact border plant, ‘Blue Wonder’ offers a reliable entry point, but the inconsistency in shipped size makes it a measured risk compared to more consistent Proven Winners alternatives.
What works
- Smallest mature height (12-15 inches) for tight front-border spaces
- Deer resistant with pleasant fragrance
What doesn’t
- Shipped plant size can be significantly smaller than implied
- Modest bloom display compared to larger catmint varieties
Hardware & Specs Guide
USDA Hardiness Zones
Catmint is a herbaceous perennial that returns from its root system each spring. ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ and ‘Cat’s Meow’ are both tested for zones 3-8, while ‘Blue Wonder’ is listed for zones 4-8. If you live in zone 3, choose a variety explicitly rated for that range to avoid winter kill. ‘Walker’s Low’ covers zones 4-9.
Mature Height & Spread
This is the single most important sizing spec. ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ stays the smallest at 14 inches. ‘Blue Wonder’ reaches 12-15 inches. ‘Cat’s Meow’ matures at 17-20 inches. ‘Six Hills Giant’ averages 24 inches. ‘Walker’s Low’ can hit 36 inches. Measure your garden bed width before ordering; a plant that spreads 30 inches may overwhelm a 2-foot border.
FAQ
What is the true difference between Nepeta catmint and catnip?
Will Nepeta catmint survive my zone 3 winter?
How often should I water a newly planted catmint?
Do I need to deadhead Nepeta catmint to keep it blooming?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners seeking a true nepeta catmint six hills giant experience, the winner is the Proven Winners ‘Cat’s Meow’ because it provides mid-sized mounding habit, sterile self-cleaning blooms, and proven hardiness across zones 3-8 without needing constant deadheading. If you want the largest visual coverage for a big border, grab the Greenwood ‘Walker’s Low’ two-pack. And for the tightest compact form perfect for containers and small front-of-border spaces, nothing in this list beats the Winter Greenhouse ‘Cat’s Pajamas’.