Walker's Low Catmint

Catmint 'Walker's Low' is valued for its extended bloom season, aromatic foliage, and resilience in challenging conditions. This perennial grows 2 to 2.5 feet tall with a spread of 2.5 to 3 feet, creating a low, bushy mound perfect for edging, borders, or ground cover. It thrives in USDA Zones 4 to 8, where it can handle full sun to part shade and adapts well to poor, dry soils.

The plant's lavender-blue flowers bloom in loose clusters from spring through fall, providing continuous color for several months. The fragrant, gray-green leaves add visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom, and their aroma deters rabbits and deer, making Nepeta racemosa an ideal choice for wildlife-resistant gardens.

Catmint’s long-blooming flowers and fragrant foliage make it a versatile addition to many garden styles. Its adaptability and resilience make it perfect for a variety of uses:

• Borders and Edging: Use catmint to soften the edges of pathways or garden beds. Its spreading habit creates a beautiful, bushy mound of color along borders.
• Rock Gardens: Thriving in dry, well-drained soils, catmint is an excellent choice for rock gardens where other plants might struggle.
• Pollinator Gardens: With its long blooming season, catmint attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a great addition to gardens focused on supporting local wildlife.
• Herb Gardens: Plant in herb gardens for its aromatic foliage and ornamental value. Although not as enticing as true catnip, catmint is still of interest to some cats.
• Naturalized Areas: Its ability to tolerate drought and poor soils makes it suitable for naturalized plantings where minimal care is needed.

Catmint is easy to grow and requires minimal care once established. Here are some tips to ensure your plant thrives:

• Planting Location: Choose a spot with full sun to part shade. Catmint performs best in well-drained soils and is tolerant of dry conditions. It appreciates light afternoon shade in hotter climates to avoid wilting in intense heat.
• Soil Preparation: Catmint thrives in average, dry to medium soils. Ensure good drainage to avoid root rot, particularly in areas with heavy or clay soils. Sandy or rocky soils are ideal.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish deep roots. Once established, catmint is drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering, especially in dry conditions.
• Pruning: Shear back flower spikes after the initial bloom to encourage additional flowering throughout the season. In spring, cut back the plant to about 6-8 inches to promote fresh, vigorous growth.
• Dividing: Every 3-4 years, divide clumps to prevent overcrowding and maintain the plant's vigor.