The arrival of gold, orange, and red in the garden signals that fall is upon us and that most plants are beginning to shift gears to prepare for winter dormancy. As autumn colors are, it's nice to have something to set off the fall glory. The prolific flowering of Walker’s Low catmint’s (Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low') soft purple blossoms provides a beautiful color contrast to warm autumn shades, and its cold tolerance makes it all that more appealing when you're anticipating a big chill.

“Catmint has become a reliable companion for me on both coasts of the country,” notes landscape designer Brian Maloney. “On the East Coast, it has become a real workhorse in my recent gardens. It provides a good groundcover in large-scale plantings without the mat-like effect associated with traditional groundcovers. Its small gray-green leaves and blue color make it a perfect choice as a foil to bolder textures and colors.”

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Botanical name: Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low'
Common name: Walker’s Low catmint
USDA zones: 3-8
Water requirement: Regular water until established; then low water needs
Sun requirement: Prefers full sun; partial shade in hotter climates
Mature size: 2-3’ h x 2-3’ spread
Growth rate: Medium; faster in warmer climates
Tolerances: Drought, deer, rabbit, no significant pest problems
Environmental benefits: Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, bees. Your cat will love it, too.

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Distinguishing traits. The billowy, loose, mounding form of Walker’s Low catmint is punctuated every spring and fall with an influx of its identifying purplish-blue flowers. Catmint’s prolific blooms are distinctive and long-lasting, but you can also enjoy the subtle minty aroma of its grayish green foliage year-round.

While the name may suggest a vertically challenged specimen, Walker's Low is anything but. Sprawling foliage and upright flower stalks means that this plant is going to grow up and out.

by Brian Maloney Design Associates »

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How to use it. Named for the English garden where it was first selected, Walker’s Low catmint has become synonymous with traditional cottage and perennial gardens as a pathway edging or casually cascading over garden walls. While its dainty purple flower and form can serve as the perfect contrast to a classic English rose garden, there is nothing more modern or forward-thinking in garden design than monochromatic mass plantings, and this plant fits right in. Consider planting a field of catmint — like the garden above — as your frost-friendly lavender replacement.

With an open arching form, Walker’s Low catmint can also be used as a groundcover alternative and is an effective and low-maintenance space-filling solution. Don’t worry if you don’t have square footage to spare; catmint is another prime candidate for container gardening. Regardless of where you plant, include a sprig or two in any floral arrangement, as the fragrance of its flowers as well as its foliage will enhance any space.

by Brian Maloney Design Associates »

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Before you plant. You can expect flowers from this plant beginning in early spring, and by shearing the spent flowers and foliage in late summer, you can prolong its bloom and promote new growth well into fall with a second flowering. While individual plants may look dwarfed in their beds after planting or cutting back, they will be back with a vengeance—so give them some room when you plant, spacing 2'–3’ apart.

Walker’s Low catmint is as tough and easy to grow as they come. Thriving in sandy well-drained soil, this cold-hardy cultivar can handle freezing temperatures that dip well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Take that, seasonal blues!

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Comments

Janet Paik Wish I had a garden so I can plant me some Catmint. Great ideabook, Annie.

20 months ago · Like

Becky Harris My cat and I both love this plant!

20 months ago · Like

RK-TECTS Cats are a nuisance with this plant. We have 12 along our tree lawn (pic forthcoming). About 3 plants were thrashed by a pair of outdoor cats (non-feral) in year 1. They finally settled on one favorite plant, laying on it an crushing year 1 & 2. Year 3, it was only 8" while the others were 30"+. to protect it, I put bamboo skewers in it, which the cats apparently didn't like, so they sat in the large one next to it, creating a catmint donut. So I decided to skewer all 12...bad idea, over the next 2 nights, the cats trampled every plant looking for a suitible plant to chill out in, a process that was repeated multiple times this spring, and causing all the plants to be misshapen. I am planning on planting one sacrificial plant without skewer and maybe some cat food, somewhere else, as the best possible solution, but I'm all ears.

20 months ago · Like

Sheila Schmitz To please both me and my cats, I learned to start with gallon-sized plants (plenty to go around) and protected them until they could grow quickly enough to stand up to all the attention.

20 months ago · Like

Pascale This is one of my favorites in my perennial garden. (I have "Six Hills Giant".) It's easy to divide and share, blooms a long time, and has proven very hardy here in the rainy northwest. Of course my cats love it, as do my neighbor's cats - at least once a year I end up spying a cat curled up sleeping in one of the plants. Initial reaction is dismay to see a perfectly formed plant laid low, but I can't help smiling at the peacefully content cat - they look oh so adorable when sleeping! I also end up smiling on the occasions I've seen a hummingbird jostling with bumble bees for nectar from the blooms, another reason I love it in my garden!

20 months ago · Like