Kassovnik Fassen is a wonderful ornamental plant that can fit into almost any floral arrangement and decorate a garden plot. This plant was especially fond of landscape designers because of the long flowering period and exquisite appearance resembling lavender. A rather unusual name for the plant was obtained due to the alluring smell that attracts cats, like valerian. The people often call catnip catnip. In this article, we will talk in detail about Fassen's catnip, the care of which will not cause you any trouble at all, and also share the ways of using this plant not only for decorative, but also for other purposes.
Description and chemical composition
The cattleman of Fassen (Nepeta Faassenii, lat.) Is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the family of labiaceae. This plant appeared due to the crossing of the catnip Mussini and Nepetell. The bush has erect stems with a height of 20 to 60 centimeters, as well as a branched root system. The shape of the leaves is oval, close to heart-shaped and has pointed edges. The color of foliage varies from gray-green to saturated emerald. As can be seen in the photo of Fassen's catnip, the main shades of its inflorescences are blue, blue and lavender. Catnip blossoms throughout all three months of summer, some varieties are able to bloom twice.
The plant is characterized as frost-resistant, heat- and moisture-loving. Catnip has a pleasant aroma of mint and a bitter-spicy taste. Under natural conditions, it grows in meadows and forest glades, as well as along rocky roads.
The leaves and stems of catnip have a high content of essential oils, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins. Therefore, the plant is widely used not only for decorative, but also for medicinal purposes, as well as in cooking.
Varieties
Among the variety of varieties of Fassen's catnip, several of the most popular can be distinguished. In this section, we will describe in more detail about each of them.
- Fassen's Catcher Six Hills Giant. This variety reaches a half-meter height and is distinguished by the rich blue colors of the petals. A sprawling dense bush with bright green leaves blooms from early May to late August. The cattleman of this species prefers fertile soil of light structure, and also perfectly survives in sunny areas. It is resistant to drought, grows quickly enough and has a pleasant aroma combining notes of lemon and mint. It goes well with roses and other decorative perennials.
- Fassen's Catcher Light blue. A low bush reaching a height of not more than 30 centimeters. This variety is one of the few that prefer sunny places for planting. The flowers of this catnip have a delicate blue color with a lilac hue and are collected in oblong inflorescences. Most often used to create live borders.
- Fassen's Catcher Blue Wonder. Dwarf variety with a height of not more than 20 centimeters. A dense and fluffy bush during flowering is covered with spiky flowers of azure color. Flowering lasts from June to September. The variety does not require special care and grows quickly enough.
- Fassen Cotter Walkers Low. A perennial plant with a spicy aroma, reaching half a meter in height. It differs by two times flowering - in May and September. This variety does not require shelter for the winter, and in summer prefers moderate soil moisture.
Catman or lemon balm?
The catcher of Fassen is often confused with lemon balm. The structure of these plants is indeed very similar. The color of the leaves of catnip has a saturated green color, while the lemon balm has gray-silver leaves. In addition, the aroma of these plants is different. To activate the aroma of catnip, you must properly rub the leaf in your hands, in the case of lemon balm it is enough just to be next to the bush - it smells much more intense. The catnip has a hint of geranium in the aroma, while lemon balm has a subtle lemon tint. The height of the plants is also different: the catnip grows by nearly a meter in partial shade, the lemon balm is much lower - it does not exceed forty centimeters.
Medical use
The rich chemical composition of catnip allows you to use it for medicinal purposes. The following plant properties are widely known:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antipyretic;
- expectorant;
- antispasmodic;
- general strengthening;
- hemostatic.
Various decoctions and infusions are prepared from catnip, which are used for cardiovascular diseases, problems with the digestive and genitourinary system. The use of catnip is effective for bronchitis, gastritis, migraine, insomnia and anemia. Preparations from this plant relieve pain, eliminate cramps and relieve worms.
Fassen's Catman in Landscaping
Kotovnik is distinguished by rather rare cold shades of blue, and therefore occupies a special place in the design of the landscape. Using this plant, you can wonderful decorate the territory along the paths, creating a hedge. A catnip looks good in flower beds. Miniature varieties are often used for landscaping roofs and facades of houses. The catnip fits perfectly into almost any floral arrangement. Moreover, he always looks very magnificent and rich. Gardeners advise combining it with roses, lavender, sage, phlox, peonies.
Cooking use
Thanks to the original and rich taste, combining lemon and mint, as well as the spicy aroma, catnip is often used in cooking. The stems and leaves are dried, and then crushed into powder. This spice is perfect for meat and fish dishes, it is also added to various sauces and marinades. Some foodies prefer catnip in desserts and preserves. In addition, the spice is an ingredient in some varieties of cheeses and alcoholic beverages, such as vermouth. Add the stems of dried catnip to tea, giving it a stunning aroma and taste.
Landing
Fassen cattleman is preferably planted in areas where vegetable crops were previously grown. In addition, it is preferable to use shaded areas with calcareous soil.
Planting of this plant can be carried out both in open ground and in a greenhouse. Before sowing in open ground, which is carried out not earlier than April, the soil is dug up and well spilled with water. Fassen's catnip seeds are sown to a depth of not more than a centimeter. The distance between the rows should be about 30 centimeters. The first shoots appear already 5-7 days after sowing. As soon as full leaflets appear on the sprouts, it is time to feed them.
When planting a catnip in a greenhouse, the seeds are planted to the same depth, however, the distance between them is reduced to 5-8 centimeters. After this, the plantings are covered with a film until the first shoots appear. Sowing is carried out in the second half of March, and the first seedlings can be expected no earlier than mid-April. After the first leaves appear on the sprouts, the seedlings are picked in separate pots or containers. After 1.5-2 months, the root system is fully developed, and the plant is ready for transplantation into the open ground.
Growing conditions
Kotovnik is not without reason called an unpretentious plant. It perfectly takes root on almost any soil, but fertilizing is considered a desirable measure to care for it. After flowering, in the beginning of autumn, about 3 kilograms of compost or humus are applied to the soil for each square meter of the plot. In spring, the plant is fed with complex mineral preparations containing potassium and phosphorus.
Catnip cultivation is most preferable in the middle and southern latitudes. The ideal temperature for planting and further growth is considered to be a range from +16 to +21 ° C. It is best to plant the plant in a slight shade. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, Fassen's catnip quickly fades and dies with the onset of autumn.
Watering and plant care
Kassovnik Fassen, being a perennial plant, is able to live for a long period with proper care and timely watering. Despite the general resistance to drought, the plant requires regular moistening of the soil, on which the state of greenery and the splendor of flowering directly depend.
Water the plant exclusively after drying the topsoil. Too frequent and abundant watering leads to rotting of the root system and, as a result, complete destruction of the plant. In order to avoid stagnation of water, be sure to consider a drainage system.
Be sure to remove the faded inflorescences. This procedure will not only improve the appearance of the plant, but also will extend the flowering period. By removing wilted flowers, you make room for new ones. Receiving such a simple care, catnip grows quite quickly and fills the area with fragrant aroma.
Young plants are a favorite treat for various pests, such as the bear and slugs. Special traps or technical oil will help get rid of them, the smell of which repels many harmful insects. It is enough to prepare several containers with oil, which are located between the bushes.
Breeding
Fassen cattleman is propagated in three main ways:
- Seeds - planting material is sown immediately in open ground, bypassing the seedling stage.
- Seedlings - the most preferred method of propagation, involving the preliminary sowing of seeds for seedlings and its subsequent transplantation in open ground (after the formation of full leaves on the sprouts).
- Division of the root - in the beginning of spring or autumn, they dig out the largest and strongest bush and divide it into several parts so that each of them has at least 3-4 generative buds. Each seedling is planted in separate prepared wells. This plant rejuvenation procedure should be carried out every 3-4 years.