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"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat."
–Mark Twain
"And I live next door to the Plant Man and the Cat Woman."
–Mel Burns
This column is dedicated to my cherished friend Poo who loved our garden dearly.
The first onshore wind off the Pacific Ocean carried the scent faintly at first, from the garden below to her current favorite spot on the front deck. The herb's pungent and acrid fragrance, detectable only by she, was intensified by the rare appearance of the sun this spring. Slowly, she stretched her two front paws, arching her back in a manner impossible to imitate by members of her human family. Twitching her nose several times, she moved cautiously down the steps toward the west facing garden in search of... Catnip.
What do cats and gardening have in common? Well, there are Cat-mint, Cat-thyme and Catnip which are grown to attract cats. Cat's-Claw, Cat's-Ear, Cat's Foot, and Cat-Tail are common names of plants which resemble certain anatomical parts of our feline friends. As welcome members of our family, they share in the pleasure of our garden. If curiosity ever sparked the thought of adventure for cats, the garden certainly can be their Pandora's Box.
The garden provides a plethora of tasty treats and temptations for a gourmand like the cat. With an abundant herb garden cultivated by Catharine, our five cats never have a shortage of Catnip and Cat-mint. Native ferns and grasses sway with the wind, providing constant interest and hiding spots. The random snail becomes an excellent soccer ball if handled carefully, and a steady influx of insects and lizards from a nearby field provide a constant challenge during the hunt. After a busy day, the large boulders in our garden are a great spot for sunning and awaiting the return of their family.
Tiger, the matriarch of the family, is our sybarite. She rests comfortably at garden's edge, enjoying the view of the ocean from the deck. At eight she knows every plant as well as I. Rousseau, the protector of the garden, possesses powerful territorial habits and guards the periphery from unwanted feline intrusions. Mozart, our Himalayan, ambles nimbly throughout the foliage, pausing to survey a quiet spot to rest. Ollie, the hunter, keeps insect damage under control by stalking grasshoppers and beetles. He even brings some into the house to share with us. Finally, Voltaire, our baby bunny Persian, scampers and hops in search of the next distraction.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is but a novelty herb for us, sometimes used to flavor tea. A shrubby perennial reaching a few feet in height, its has gray green leaves and white or purple flowers. Although cats are attracted while it's growing, it's dried leaves are truly serious stuff, rivaling human interest in certain herbs. It's cousin is Cat-mint (Nepeta faassenii) a mounding groundcover which grows to 2 feet. Cats love rolling in it's abundant foliage. Both plants require full sun and well draining soil.
Lesser know is the Silver vine (Actinidia polygama). Cats are attracted to it much like Catnip. A relative to Kiwi Fruit, it will climb to 15 feet. The female plants provide an edible fruit which is oval and about 6 inches long. The male plants are propagated for their attractive foliage and grown in warm and protected gardens as specimens.
Many grasses are both beneficial and amusing to cats. The chlorophyll in grass blades help to freshen their breath and aid in their digestive process (Dr. A. might add, two grasses in one!) Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Cupreum') is a clumping, drought resistant grass much admired by our cats. The swaying of the grass or their flower parts provide endless fascination, powered either by the wind or one's hand. It will grow in any type of soil and has attractive reddish foliage and dark plumes.
With no apologies to ornithologists, the garden is shared by both birds and cats. I honestly believe that cats have no feelings of malevolence towards birds. The cat is simply a natural predator and loves the hunt no matter how many cans of Fancy Feast they receive. If your cat has a proclivity to birds, attach a bell around his/her neck to warn the potential victim. Think twice before installing a bird bath or feeder for your fine feathered friends if cats frequent your garden.
Cats will gladly use a litter box indoors, but once outdoors, the warm, moist soil of a well cultivated garden is nearly impossible for them to resist. If a certain area of the garden is taboo, a covering of gravel or decomposed granite can be effective. Both hard ground covers prevent the cat from scratching out a toilet. Smaller garden plots and containers can be covered by ornamental pebbles, keeping the cat from making a deposit into your garden.
Chemical cat repellents from various manufacturers vary in their effectiveness from garden to garden. Potions with a range of active ingredients from mothball-like substances to extracts of Anise (Pimpinella anisum) can be found. Consult your local nursery for their recommendation. Often, just a shout of discouragement or the squirt of a hose can persuade your pet from soiling your garden. No promises, however.
I envy my cats. When we enter our shared garden together, I am in nature but not part of nature as they are. They can hear, and smell, and relate to the garden in a sylvan-like manner I can only imagine. Catharine and I tend our garden for our enjoyment and relaxation, but also as a sanctuary for our cats to play. See you next time.
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