Marilyn said:I've been reading a lot more on the net with people saying that cats do and don't get into the different varieties of catmint, and as much as I like to offer more flowers to the bees and butterflies, I don't want the cats coming into my yard any more than they do already.
I feed the birds and wild rabbits every day (in feeders and on the ground) and the cats have killed the birds and chased after the rabbits, so I decided not to grow this plant. I don't want to take a chance.
Thank you all very much for the replies and the information!
Marilyn, if you want to grow some catmint for the lovely blue flowers to feed the bees and butterflies--do it!
It will not cause the cats to come into your yard anymore than they already do because the cats are coming into your yard to hunt the birds and other critters you are feeding. If you really want to un-attract the cats, then don't bait them with birds and critters.
I am a big fan of the 'Select Blue' --that is one rockin' catmint from spring right thru the heat of summer and on thru the fall 'til it freezes. My cats and the neighborhood cats are not interested in it at all but the bees love it!
Seriously, if you are going to keep chumming in the cats with live prey, there is no legitimate reason to simultaneously deny yourself and the pollinators the pleasure of catmint based on the fear of cat attraction
think about it
feed the bees too
I promise, you will still have the same cat problem, but it really won't get any worse with the addition of pretty blue flowers.