Georgia Backyard Nature

Crazy for Catnip and Catmint

It’s no secret that I like cats. So I don’t mind the neighborhood felines visiting my yard—in fact, I encourage it because they keep the chipmunk and mouse population in check. There’s always fresh water and a bowl of cat food on the porch, but there’s also a little extra attraction—on one side of the walkway there’s a big clump of Catnip (above). On the other side is Catmint (below).

 

Catnip and its cousin, Catmint, are perennial herbs that are best known for the high they give cats. Nepetalactone, the active ingredient found in the stems and leaves, causes a hallucinogenic effect in about half of cats, but not in humans. Here's proof that some cats love it!

 

These perennial herbs are easy to grow. Just plant in full sun and give adequate moisture. If you want to harvest some for your indoor kitties, just cut it on a dry summer day and hang upside down in a well-ventilated area, away from the sun and moisture to dry. 

 

Catnip and Catmint are also said to repel insects, rats, and mice. However, Catnip doesn’t appear to thwart Chipmunks because one has foolishly dug a tunnel entrance under a big clump. When I fill up the cats’ water bowl every morning, I bruise a few leaves on the Catnip plant to release the smell. I keep hoping one of them will get that pesky chipmunk, but I guess they’re too high to care!!

Stargazer Surprise

This Stargazer Lily blooming today is a real surprise. Last week I was so disappointed  when I noticed that all the buds in the backyard had been clipped by the deer. I didn't see this one nestled in a bed of Catnip and Catmint in the front yard. Stargazers are Oriental lilies and prized as cut flowers because of their vivid pink petals and luscious sweet fragrance. Several Stargazer blooms in a vase can perfume the whole house. If you have cat, beware because they are highly toxic to cats. For that reason, I have to enjoy my Stargazers from the windows. Luckily this one is blooming in front of my dining room window--a perfect spot for Stargazing.

Beatrice the Bird Watcher

Today’s post is about my cat Beatrice who recently passed away at the age of 17. She and her sister were kittens when they came to live with me and I was afraid they'd be bored being indoors all the time. I put bird feeders all around the house to amuse them, and they quickly learned the joys of bird watching. Several years after they were adopted, we moved to Georgia. I was excited because our new house had a screened porch. I was sure all the cats would love being that close to nature.

Beatrice didn't, though. She would only stay on the porch for a few minutes, then head back inside, earning her the nickname of "The City Kitty."  She much preferred to watch birds and creatures from the air conditioned comfort of a window bench. I'll never forget her excitement at seeing the big Heron land on the deck, or her eagerness to get at the green anole on the window sill. It wasn't until the last few years that she warmed up to the porch. Then she'd be the first one out in the morning and stay as long as she could, enjoying the sounds, smells, and sights.

Beatrice was a unique personality who was affectionate, gentle, and sweet with me. She had a quirk that none of the other cats had. If I bent over near her, she'd jump on my back, put her paws around my neck, and rub her face in my hair. That was her very special way of telling me she loved me. As sweet as Beatrice was with me, she was a prickly martinet with the other cats. She ruled the roost with an iron paw and tolerated no bad behavior. Unfortunately, merely breathing was sometimes a transgression, earning the offender a chilling glare or a sharp swat

When she was diagnosed with cancer, Beatrice was given only a short time to live. Even though it was a sad time, I was grateful for every day we could spend together. I treasure the memory of sitting with her at the window a few days before she died, watching birds flit around the yard. But most of all I remember that was the day she jumped on my back one last time and told me she loved me.

 

 

 

Cat and Catnip

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the special treats of catnip and cat mint I planted for the neighborhood felines. See http://www.georgiabackyardnature.com/georgia_backyard_nature/2011/07/catnip-crazy.html . Here's a video of a cat enjoying the buzz from catnip. I'm happy that he enjoys my garden, but hope he's not too stoned to chase those pesky chipmunks away.

Catnip Crazy

 

My front walkway is lined with flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummers, but it also holds a few special treats for the neighborhood cats. On one side there’s a big clump of Catmint (the plant with purple flowers on the banner above). On the other side is Catnip.

Catnip is a perennial herb that’s best known for the high it gives cats. There are several varieties with blooms that range from white to pink, to purple. Nepetalactone, the active ingredient found in the stems and leaves, causes a hallucinogenic effect in felines, but not in humans.

 

Only about half of the cats are affected by Catnip, and among those that react, their responses vary widely. Some jump, roll around, become hyperactive, or even become aggressive. My indoor kitties do all of those things. I noticed that my stray, Rusty, gives a little hop, skip, and leap every time he walks through the Catnip. The effect only last a few minutes.

Catnip is also said to repel insects, rats, and mice.  This perennial is easy to grow. Just plant in full sun and give it adequate moisture. If you want to harvest some for your indoor kitties, just cut it on a dry summer day and hang it upside down in a well-ventilated area, away from the sun and moisture to dry.

 

When I fill up Rusty’s water bowl every morning, I bruise a few leaves on the Catnip plant to release the smell. He may visit my front porch for food, but he never fails to tiptoe through the Catnip after eating.

Nature Loving Nicholas

 

I usually write about creatures and plants in the backyard, but today’s post is about Nicholas, my nature loving cat who passed away suddenly this week.

 

His world was small because he was an indoor cat, but Nicholas spent hours at the windows and on the screened porch watching birds, squirrels, lizards, butterflies, and chipmunks.  I don’t often take the time just to sit quietly on the porch, but today I did. I heard at least five different bird calls, saw bright blue jays flit to the birdbath, heard rustling in the leaves, felt the gentle breeze, and smelled fragrant flowers. These are the things Nicholas loved about his yard--he enjoyed every sound, smell, and sight.

 

Landscaping a yard from bare ground is hard work, but I’m glad I took the time to learn how to attract birds, butterflies, and wildlife.  Nicholas couldn’t go to nature, so my garden brought nature to him. He enjoyed the great outdoors from the safety of his screened porch. That makes my yard a true labor of love that’s worth back pain, pulled muscles, and plain old exhaustion.

 

 

When I found Nicholas thirteen years ago, he was a pitiful stray—starving and injured. In spite of his sad circumstances, the white cat with a gray cap and tail was gentle and loving. A good boy all his life, Nicholas always seemed grateful for a home, a soft bed, a full food bowl, and someone who loved him. I’m grateful to him, too. His lively companionship and affection all those years brought me a lot of happiness and enriched my life immeasurably. Rest in peace, sweet Nicholas.

 

Butchered Boxwoods

 

A good friend gave me cordless hedge clippers for Christmas. They’re wonderful—light and easy to operate.  I practiced on shrubs that only needed to be topped before tackling my boxwoods.  

I planted English boxwoods around the birdbath several years ago in hopes of getting a cool diamond shaped hedge.  The vivid evergreen shrubs are perfect for low hedges and formal gardens, but this variety grows ever so slowly. This year finally it was time to shape them.  Cutting the boxwoods back was urgent because Rusty, the stray cat, camps out under the birdbath almost every day. Hidden by the foliage and a speedy pouncer, he nabs an alarming number of birds there.

Obviously, I need a lot more practice to shape my English boxwoods. I didn’t get the diamond I hoped for--it’s more like a lopsided heart. That’s okay because boxwoods are very forgiving and respond well to pruning. They’ll grow back and I can try again later in the season. But one mission was accomplished. Rusty can’t hide under the birdbath any longer so hopefully my songbirds will be a little safer.