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As the year 2006 came to a close, the Perennial Plant Association bestowed ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint with the 2007 Plant of the Year award...and gardeners looking for an easy alternative to lavender rejoiced.
Introduced in 1988 in Europe, Nepeta 'Walker’s Low' has become increasingly popular with each passing year due to its lovely blue-violet flowers and its long bloom time, attractive grey-green foliage, ease of propagation, lack of pest or disease problems, and low maintenance requirements.
The Perennial Plant Association has passed along the following details about 'Walker's Low':
Hardiness - USDA Zones 3 to 8
Size - 30 to 36 inches tall and wide.
Light - Best in full sun, but can tolerate shade in hot climates
Soil - Prefers well drained soil and neutral pH
Uses - Good companion plant for early and late blooming plants. Great for perennial borders, but can be used in herb gardens, rock gardens, as a ground cover, or as a container plant.
Unique Qualities - Will bloom continuously throughout the season if properly pruned. Great for attracting bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, but is deer and rabbit resistant. Leaves release a wonderful aroma when crushed.
Your kitty may not go as crazy for 'Walker's Low' as he would for catnip (a close relative of catmint), but most gardeners will love it.
About Tamara Galbraith
I am an avid organic gardener and certified Master Gardener for Collin County, Texas (that's North Dallas).
Despite those lofty titles, I still manage to kill stuff on a regular basis. My gardening experiences are periodically chronicled on my blog at: http://can-u-dig-it.blogspot.com
Posted by icuraqt (from Warner Robins, GA) on June 13, 2008 at 7:18 PM:
Where can I find this plant? ("Walker's Low" Catmint, winner of 2007 Perennial of the year).
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Posted by TexasTam (from Plano, TX) on June 15, 2008 at 1:07 PM:
Here's the PlantFiles entry for Walker's Low Catmint - click on the link at the top that lists the vendors. I think I got my catmint from Bluestone Perennials.
Posted by Vigorishhh (from Southampton, NY) on June 6, 2008 at 3:53 PM:
I have about 30 Walker's Low surrounding a pool fence interspersed with Pampus grass - it's been a great way of helping to hide the fence and protecting my gorgeous Hydrangeas inside the fence from the deer (- the smell seems to deter the deer from jumping over).
However, in their 5th season the blooms appear washed out and feeble compared to the prolific and vivid blooms of the earlier seasons - each season this condition seems to worsen. Same treatment, similar conditions each year. Anyone experienced a simliar demise or have any answers for me, please?
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Subject: The perfect plant!
Posted by AddieOtto (from Clementon, NJ) on April 15, 2007 at 6:07 PM:
I can't rave enough about Walker's Low. It stays compact and full and doesn't reseed like some catmints. When I cut it back it rebounds in minutes and it stands up to my hot sun, sandy soil and drought conditions like a champ. Well deserved Plant of the Year winner!
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Posted by cactuspatch (from La Luz/Alamogordo, NM) on May 1, 2007 at 3:31 PM:
I truly love it too. I have one growing in a large pot that is doing wonderful. It doesn't reseed the way catnip does, however I do have one along my garden wall that must have seeded itself there. I will try and transplant it.
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Posted by prairiechick (from Rapid City, SD) on August 7, 2007 at 5:01 PM:
This looks like a plant I need. We have a backyard with a steep slope, sandy soil, hot and dry area.
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Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on January 6, 2008 at 11:12 AM:
just read your article and would like to try the plant this spring--i live near you (plano) --do you know if calloways had it last year? i have not had luck with lavender --
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Posted by TexasTam (from Plano, TX) on June 15, 2008 at 1:06 PM:
Hi Linda,
I just now saw your question...! I don't think Calloway's has carried this in the past. (North Haven Gardens is much more likely to do so...if you haven't made the trek down to NHG, it's a great nursery. I much prefer it over any Calloway's. Just off of 75 by Forest Lane.)
