How to prune raceme catmint

Cut back hard by two-thirds immediately after first flush (early to midsummer); tidy to ground level in late autumn. Using shears or secateurs, cut the whole mound back by two-thirds to just above basal growth immediately after the first flush fades. Water in after cutting. In late autumn or early spring, cut remaining stems to ground level.

Cut back hard once mid-season; annual ground-level tidy in autumn. Raceme catmint (Nepeta racemosa) is one of the most rewarding plants to prune: cut it back hard by two-thirds immediately after the first flowering flush and it will reliably produce a strong second flush in late summer. Without cutting back it becomes lax and woody. Tidy to ground level in late autumn.

Using shears or secateurs, cut the whole mound back by two-thirds to just above basal growth immediately after the first flush fades. Water in after cutting. In late autumn or early spring, cut remaining stems to ground level.