Cutting Back Catmint

12 years ago

The catmint is really UGLY and I was out raking it then cutting the stringy part that was left after I raked it. How low to the ground should the stringy part be cut. It looks like it is all dead. But I am sure it will come back.

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Comments (4)

brit5467
12 years ago
I cut mine back all the way down to the ground so that only about an inch of wood is showing. It will look dead now in your zone, I'm sure. But so did mine. Just be patient.

Being in zone 7B, mine was even getting a little green on it when I cut it and then I even dug it up and divided it.
But it's coming in fine right now. Think this is its 3rd summer.

I'm sure everyone's tired of seeing these same pics since I've posted them other places -- but think it will help reassure you to know you can 'murder it' and it will survive...lol.

LAST YEAR
{{gwi:199090}}

RECENT, AFTER CUTTING DOWN TO GROUND EARLIER THIS MONTH
{{gwi:203209}}

TOOK JUST NOW IN DARK (crappy pic but you can see growth)
{{gwi:203210}}
mxk3 z5b_MI
12 years ago
Just whack it back almost to the ground - it will be growing gangbusters in just a few weeks.

I also whack mine back after initial flowering when it starts looking unruly; this second haircut makes a big difference in overall tidiness of the plant, and yes it still reblooms after the whack-back. :0)
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mary_max
Original Author
12 years ago
Oh my Thanks for posting those pictures. Your catmint is beautiful indeed. This was so encouraging to me.
brit5467
12 years ago
You're welcome !! Just FYI - I got it in a gallon container 3 years ago, in the fall at a big box store on a pallet of 'dead' plants. I like to call it the 'scratch & dent' section -- for pennys on the dollar cuz thats all I can afford most times...lol. I garden, but am not that knowledgable on specific plants but looked at the tag and liked what I saw.

Point being, it survived hanging out thru the winter in just a pot until I planted it early spring (2 yrs ago??) so for me, I like to think of it as very 'sturdy'. In fact, it's the most spectacular plant I have. And I don't do anything special (except feed it along with the others here and then).

So you'll have luck with yours, I'm sure. Just don't let it get too thirsty...lol.

Just saying, I don't think you can hurt it by a "hard prune" as long as you do it soon (after any risk of freeze or frost, I'm guessing).

I do know I learned alot about it on here last year (maybe yr before) when it got funky later in the season and splayed all out (got empty in the middle).

I was apprehensive to cut it WHILE it was blooming since it was so full and colorful so I only did it here and there. But looking back, I could have cut it back much more. But I hated to, since it was so full but don't think it would have hurt it one bit.

Also, just FYI - it stayed green and full long into (my) fall and still had leaves on it until I cut it back early this year. I left it (probably like you did) for the birds & wildlife.

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Cutting Back Catmint

Comments (4)

brit5467

mxk3 z5b_MI

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mary_max
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brit5467

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Cutting Back Catmint

Comments (4)

brit5467

mxk3 z5b_MI

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mary_maxOriginal Author

brit5467

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mary_max
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