plants that cats dont like?

[mata hari]

Do you know of any garden plants that cats don't 'go for'? I have a small enclosed courtyard and two cats! They leave my rose alone, but lie on the lavender bushes! (at least they smell nice!) I think I may have to resort to baskets fixed to the wall, as they would probably lie on plant boxes as well!!

[WendyS]

Please don't plant any kind of lillies as they are deadly poisonous to cats. Perhaps if you planted one particular plant they liked they would leave everthing else alone! I suggest Cat Nip, either in a border or in a low patio container. It grows about 6 - 8 inches high, has grey/green leaves and a pretty blue/lilac flower which bees love. It's actually a herb and cats really get a buzz from nibbling at it but they probably wouldn't like on it with the bees around buzzing for their share of the nectar!

[WendyS]

sorry - typo - "wouldn't lie on it".

[mata hari]

WendyS, that sounds like a very good idea. I've never seen Cat nap, and it sounds so pretty too, I will definately try it! I did have 2 Arum lilies, but they nibbled away on them until they died (the lilies, not the cat's, they are still hail and hearty!!)

Thanks for advice, MH

[logman]

One plant that cats dislike the smell of is a herb called rue, you could posibly plant a small-low hedge of this to keep them out. Also there is a plant known as pee-off (no joke) related to coleus its half hardy in the UK.

Or lion dung is said to be a good deterant, known as silent roar. Good Luck..

[mata hari]

Ha Ha logman, we meet again, I can try the RUE but not sure what pee-off would be called in french!! pis partir perhaps? seriously though, I have a book that I can look up the latin name and can trace it that way,

This site is super, both for answering questions and reading others answers!! what a clever and entertaining lot you ABers are!! Thanks again all!

[Poglet]

The cat nip spreads and grows massive, well ours has, and doesn't smell too nice.

[mata hari]

Thanks poglet! sound like my cats!! lol

[rosyrussell]

One word of advice from a cat owner and a gardener - before you plant the cat mint, leave it in its pot in the garden for a few days before trying to plant loads. I had one in my garden ready to plant (quite a big one too!) and the next morning it was completely devoured to the roots. My cat liked it so much it couldnt get enough! My other cat didnt give it a second look - it was just the black on that was a cat mint junkie. Be warned!

[moonshadow]

Cats dislike Coleus Canina perhaps you could try that.