I think the stuff sold as cat grass is just normal lawn grass! I wouldn't bother planting it as an ornamental, esp if you've got a lawn - just leave a bit to grow longer so that moggies can have a nibble. IF you want to please the local cats, grow catnit, also known as catmint or Nepeta. My cat and my neighbours' cats love it!! It's easy to grow and very pretty - has little purple flowers.

Nepeta easy to grow? I've never managed to get one to live long enough, by the time all the local cats (and my own at the time) had finished rolling around in ecstasy all over the poor thing before it's had a chance to grow on a bit.
Sid's right - just leave a bit of long grass somewhere for them to chew on.

This makes a change, Alex - the usual question is about how to keep cats OUT!!!!!

I have some that just came up: Hordeum vulgare, a variegated cat grass, and it is actually barley. I have grown it in the past, and if you like grasses, it makes a nice addition, easy to care for. If you grow Catnip, use it in a hanging basket and then snip a leaf or 2 to play with them.

LOL - it does make a change doesn't it Spritz x-D

Bamboo - yup, always found Nepeta easy to grow - I think the one I've got is the giant variety, gets pretty big anyway, and seems to cope quite well with the local moggies rolling around on it! lol

Luckily for them and my Nepetas, I haven't had to cope with that! Grrrrr.....

I grew Nepeta from seed a couple of years ago - they germinated really well. :-)) I prefer 'Six HillsGiant' though. That's probably the one you've got, Sarah.

Yes, that name does sound familier...I THINK I grew mine from seed, but I've had it in my garden a long, long time. Birtie sometimes emerges from where it's planted with a glazed expression on her face and dribbling slightly lol think she's a bit of a catnip junky LOL

Is it the scent??

I don't think anyone quite knows what's going on with catnip - some cats don't react to it at all while others can't resist it. It certainly stimulates playfullness, which is why cat toys often have catnip in them. Presumably it's the smell, but to me it smells like basil and cats don't react to that.... Very strange!