Given the vagaries of the weather this year, the last thing you need in the garden are fussy plants.

Plants that must be staked for fear of the wind knocking them over. Plants that wither at the sight of heavy rain or those that need constant watering no matter the weather and, worst of all, plants that are a martyr to aphids, slugs and snails.

Over this series, I have aimed to highlight the exact opposite to these plants. Plants that if grown in ordinary conditions with a bit of sun will make gardening a joy for even the least knowledgeable but want-to-be gardener.

This week, I have a plant that delivers on all of the above and its name is nepeta.

A cloud of fluffiness

Nepeta is better known as ‘catmint’ because cats are supposed to love it. I can’t vouch for that as I’ve never had a cat.

What I do know is that nepeta is one of the hardest-working little flowers in the garden.

It first appears in early June as a sea of light blue flowers on silver foliage that spread like a cloud of fluffiness at the front of a border.

It is a wonderful foil for the lime green flowers and foliage of alchemilla mollis. It also looks spectacular with alliums planted through the clump.

Once that first flush of flowers has passed, you can cut it back to produce a second flush.

The photo shows nepeta still flowering strongly on 20 October after enduring a night of heavy rain.

Nepeta is a perennial, which means it will come back year after year.

Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ is one of the best to grow and should be freely available in good garden centres.

I let the foliage die back in winter to protect it from frost and I give it a good clipping back in March.

The first soft green shoots will appear shortly afterwards. It’s good for bees and other pollinators. It’s a real winner, so give it a go.