06/24/2022
Awww, sweet catmint, we shall miss thee …
CENTER CITY CATMINT
(Summer 2015 - June 2022)
Center City Catmint, also known as "Nepeta sibirica" or "those pretty purple flower things in the median by the Circle", died after a courageous fight against a terminal illness. The plants were rescued from a bad situation (read: the Eastman Avenue boulevard... experiment) and lovingly rehomed to their final resting place on Saginaw Road at the Circle in 2015. Since that time, they have delighted motorists and visitors with their beauty.
The catmint leaves behind over 225 saddened Midland Center City businesses, countless adoring residents and local green thumbs, and heartbroken City Hortculture staff. Said one casual admirer upon hearing the news: "I really liked those. I had no idea what they were called, but they were cool."
Good night, sweet prince.
***
In all seriousness, we're sad to report that our beautiful purple catmint plants (pictured) growing near the Circle in Center City have been diagnosed with an incurable fungus and must be removed to limit the spread to other plants. We know what this fungus is and, with some help with our friends at Michigan State University, are diligently working to research all options for the future of this plant bed. For now, we will likely provide some w**d control and leave the beds empty until we know the best course of action. If you see our staff removing plants in this area, please understand that this is what they're doing.
Our Horticulture staff are truly the best in the business and work so, so hard to create a beautiful community for us to enjoy. They are devastated at this news, so we appreciate the community's understanding in the meantime. RIP, Catmint. We loved you.