Each year the Perennial Plant Association (PPA), a trade group that works to educate gardeners on great performing perennial plants, selects their Perennial Plant of the Year© . This year the honor goes to a catmint, Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low'.
A catmint makes a wonderful choice for Perennial Plant of the Year© , meeting all of the PPA’s requirements for selection:
- Suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions
- Low maintenance
- Pest and disease resistant
- Readily available in the year of release
- Multiple season of ornamental interest
- Easily propagated by asexual or seed propagation
Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ was first introduced I Europe, in 1988. As is expected from a Nepeta, ‘Walker’s Low’ has soft, grey-green foliage, a long, repeat blooming season and few problems or maintenance requirements.
The name ‘Walker’s Low’, supposedly refers to a place in England, not its growth habit. ‘Walker’s Low’ can easily reach 2 ½ to 3' tall and equally as wide, in warm areas. It has deep lavender-blue flowers that will bloom profusely in early summer and then sporadically throughout the growing season. If sheared back after the first flush of bloom, another significant bloom can be expected, but your plant will not get as large as it might. Shearing also refreshes the foliage.
An aromatic member of the mint family, Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ is not attractive to deer. In fact even cats are indifferent to it. However, it is a magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds and especially bees.
Because of its self-sufficiency and lack of pests and problems, catmint is an ideal perennial for new gardeners. Veteran gardeners are probably already aware of nepeta’s versatility in the garden, from its popular partnering with roses to the softening effect it has on hard edges. Take a look at 1 Plant Used 3 Ways, to get some inspiration for adding Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ to your garden this winter.
- USDA Zones 4 - 8
- Size: 12 - 36" H, 18 - 36" W
- Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Prefers a well drained soil
