Nepeta xfaassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ was chosen as the Perennial Plant Association’s Plant of the Year for 2007. Zones 3 to 8 are suitable for growing this herbaceous perennial from the Lamiaceae family of mint. The aromatic volatiles emitted from the broken stems of various plants in this genus, particularly catnip, are attractive to cats, hence the common name for the genus Nepetacatmint (N. cataria). Cats may be interested in this species, although they are not particularly drawn to it. This hybrid species, which was created by Dutch nurseryman J.H. Faassen from N. racemosa and N. nepetella, bears his name. This cultivar was created in England, and despite not being named after a large plant, it is named after a garden there.
Walker’s Low produces abundant soft lavender-blue flowers over a lengthy period of time from early summer to fall. It has aromatic, gray-green to silvery leaves. The flowers draw hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
The 1-2 long opposing leaves have scalloped margins. Although the plant produces 2-3 foot stems, its arching nature causes the clumps to only reach heights of 1 1/2 to 2 feet when left unsupported. Unlike some catmints, this kind doesn’t flop as much. Once planted, it can withstand hot summer temperatures and is reasonably drought resistant. Uses for Landscape
Nepeta xfaassenii “Walker’s Low” is a fantastic option for the front of a border because of its neat appearance and consistent display of color throughout the summer. In addition, it works well in herb gardens and as a tall edging. It can be utilized in containers, as a ground cover, or to cascade over walls. It works best when planted in big drifts or masses. Roses, beebalm, Shasta daisies, and ornamental grasses with blue leaves go well with catmint. The blooms complement soft yellow flowers like yellow foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora), Coreopsis “Moonbeam,” and lemon yellow daylilies like “Bitsy,” “Hyperion,” or many more cultivars, as well as vivid orange tulips and daylilies. Culture
Although it may tolerate a little moderate shade, catmint thrives in full sun and any well-drained soil. It can endure drought once it’s established (but grows better when well-watered). For a more compact habit, prune the plant back in the spring. After the first flush of flowers fades, cutting back plants by half to a third will encourage reblooming and a more appealing appearance later in the season.
Walker’s Low reportedly won’t set seed since it is sterile. The ideal way to propagate a plant is to divide it in the spring or start it from soft wood cuttings in the summer (June and July). In around 4 weeks, non-flowering side shoots that are 3 inches long should begin to root.
Deer and rabbits don’t bother catmint, and there aren’t many pest issues with it. Maintain adequate plant spacing to minimize powdery mildew issues.
There are other cultivars of N. xfaassenii besides “Walker’s Low,” including:
How is catmint planted?
This perennial flower that thrives in cool climates often features blue trumpet-shaped flower clusters and grey-green leaves with a distinctive mint scent. Even though it’s frequently called catnip, cats don’t find it to be as alluring as the real stuff. However, I’ve seen that if given the chance, our cat will indulge herself. Although the plant can reach a height of 3 feet, it frequently sprawls, creating a grey-green ground cover. In the late spring and early summer, it blooms profusely. In hot temperatures in the middle of the summer, it frequently temporarily stops flowering before starting up again in the early fall, especially if the plant is vigorously trimmed down. Catmint blooms are beloved by butterflies, hummingbirds, and other useful insects.
In our location, catmint is resilient, though certain types may require winter protection in colder climates. Despite the fact that it may be grown from seed, it is considerably simpler to buy plants from a nearby nursery or get divisions from a friend’s garden in the early spring when it first begins to grow. From early spring through early fall, sow. It is simple to divide catmint. Catmint should be planted in full or partial sun in humus-rich, compost-added soil that is well-drained. Plant where it will receive afternoon shade if you’re growing in one of our region’s warmer areas. In the garden, space plants 1 to 2 feet apart.
Water newly planted plants well. They may be resistant of drought once they have grown. To help keep weeds at bay and the soil continuously moist, mulch with bark and spread compost around the base of plants in the spring.
If you aggressively deadhead flowers and prune the plant back by two-thirds after each flush of blooms, you may keep catmint in practically constant bloom from late spring until fall. After a few years, springtime division of the plant will encourage renewed development and result in the production of more plants for friends and other plantings. Catmint doesn’t self-sow because it has few pests and sterile seeds.
The traditional cottage garden plant catmint frequently grows with peonies, roses, coreopsis, and delphiniums. It’s a fantastic filler plant to add color and green foliage between later blooming flowers because of its spreading tendency. It thrives when planted in rock gardens next to walls so that it can cascade over them. It can look a little rangy, so it’s not the best option for more formal settings.
With blue-violet flowers and a neater appearance than other types since it doesn’t spread as much, Walker’s Low is a more recent variation.
White Wonder and “Snowflake” are rare white blooming plants that only reach a height of one foot.
The enormous plant and bright blue flowers of Six Hills Giant are well recognized.
Dark blue flowers on 1 to 2 foot tall stems are produced by Blue Wonder.
How far apart should Walkers Low catmint be planted?
The Walker’s Low Catmint can reach heights of 24–30 inches. Yes, it does grow straight. It ought to be separated by 16 to 18 inches.
Where should Nepeta Walkers Low be planted?
Nepeta can be grown in either full or partial shade, in well-drained soil. allows for drought. After the first wave of flowers, hard-cut plants back to just a few inches tall to keep them compact and to promote repeat flowering.
Catmints are virtually as appealing to cats as catnip is (which belongs to the same genus). To keep plants from being harmed, you might need to provide protection (particularly during the first season after planting). N. nervosa’s foliage lacks the spiciness that the other Catmints’ leaves emit, making it less alluring to cats.
From Seed
Four to eight weeks prior to the last frost date, seeds can be started inside. Seeds should be barely covered in potting mix when placed in three- or four-inch pots.
Maintain moisture for two to three weeks until seedlings appear, and then place the pots in bright light until they have at least two sets of genuine leaves.
Additionally, you can directly plant seeds outside before the first fall frost or in the spring following the last frost.
By chilling stratifying seeds in the freezer for a whole night and then soaking them in water for 12 to 24 hours before planting, you can increase germination.
Garden soil and an inch of organic matter should be prepared for a garden bed or container. Since light promotes germination in these plants, scatter the seeds on top, just covering them.
For two to three weeks, until sprouts grow, lightly water the plant and keep moist. Seedlings should be spaced around 18 inches apart.
Not all nepeta species can be started from seed, which should be noted. Some plants, like Faassen’s catmint, can only be multiplied through division or from cuttings since they are sterile. Fortunately, doing this is simple.
By Division
Although it’s ideal to avoid dividing plants in the heat of the summer, if you have established plants available, divisions are likely the simplest and fastest technique of propagating new plants. These can be taken at any time during the growth season.
Locate a portion of an established plant with a strong, mature root system, cut it off from the rest of the plant using a garden spade, and carefully dig it up.
The entire plant can alternatively be dug up, divided into pieces, and then each piece is planted separately in the garden or in a container.
Where to plant:
Although they will tolerate some afternoon shadow, most plants prefer full sun, especially when grown in warm areas. Catmint may thrive in almost any well-drained soil type. Root rot can develop on wet or rainy grounds.
How to plant:
Although it is possible to grow plants from seed, buying nursery-grown plants is simpler and more dependable because hybrids may not grow true to seed and certain kinds are sterile. Since many plants have a tendency to grow wider than tall, leave plenty of space between them.
Catmint: a ground cover or not?
Because of its size and the quantity of flowers it produces, Nepeta x faassenii “6 Hills Giant” is a striking herb. After the initial flowering of this perennial, shear it back, and you will be rewarded with floral color for the majority of the growing season. This is essentially the only summer maintenance it needs because it is a drought-tolerant ground cover.
Making insufficient space for the 6 Hills Giant is a typical landscaping error made by beginners. Any smaller specimens planted around the herb will eventually become dwarfed by it. To avoid bullying the young ones, this catmint plant should be brought outside to play with the big kids.
Similarly, do not plant it too close to the edge of your route if you intend to use it as an edging plant for a walkway because it will flow over and obstruct traffic.
Up a flower bed’s front row, you could let it fill in the gaping hole if you wanted to, but make sure to set it back about three feet. If not, it will climb the landscaping timber edging (or whatever type you use) and cause a hassle when you need to weed-eat or mow. But if placed correctly at the front of a perennial bed, it may still hold its own while acting as the foreground for larger plants like hollyhocks.
Should I reduce my fall catmint planting?
Catmint and I have a love-hate relationship. If you have a LOT of space for it to take over, it’s a terrific plant for providing cold tones to a space. Fortunately, catmint can be severely trimmed at any time of the year.
You can trim these back in the fall to just a few inches above the ground, but your garden will have a hole in it until they grow back flush in the spring.
If catmint is the cornerstone of your perennial border, regular summers pruning should be combined with more restrained trims of around half the plant’s height during the fall.
Does catmint reappear each year?
- ‘Walker’s Low’ plants are 30 inches tall and 36 inches wide, with lavender-blue flowers. As a side note, the name is not short because it derives from an Irish garden. It is actually almost as tall as the “Six Hills Giant.” Walker’s Low was chosen by the Perennial Plant Association as their Perennial of the Year for 2007.
Don’t restrict yourself to just these four options if you feel driven to hunt for catmint in your neighborhood garden centers. Numerous other top-notch cultivars are also readily available, including “Dropmore,” “Blue Wonder,” and “Junior Walker,” a scaled-down variety of “Walker’s Low” that stands 16 inches tall.
- Catmint tends to grow wider than tall, so give it lots of room.
- Even while catmint likes direct sunlight, it can also tolerate moderate afternoon shadow.
- Water new plants or transplants until they can survive on their own. Following that, established plants can withstand heat and drought.
- Never fertilize it again. Catmint prefers well-drained, somewhat fertile soil. In fact, a plant may flip over or split in half if the soil is excessively rich. In that case, trim the plant back to make it look neat. Compost added in the spring or fall will provide the plant the nutrients it needs to thrive.
- After the first blooming flush of the plants has finished, shear them back by a third or more. The plants will be more orderly, their size will be limited, and this will encourage a second rush of blossoms later in the summer. The plant will still bloom often and maintain its lovely appearance during the stifling summer months even without being sheared.
- Over the winter, keep any dead foliage in place to help protect the crown. Wait till the beginning of spring to trim it.
- Divide catmint every three to four years, preferably in the spring or early fall, to maintain it healthy. During the first growing season, until the plants take root, keep it well-watered.
- Catmint varieties can grow to be quite huge. Pinch the plant back in the spring after it has grown a few inches tall to encourage a bushier growth habit if you wish to limit the plant’s total size.
- Cut a vertical chunk off of an established clump of catmint in the spring to reproduce it. Make sure the division has a strong root system and a number of new shoots. Till the plant takes root, keep it well-watered.
- Cuttings can also be used to spread catmint. Before flower buds grow in the spring, clip healthy shoots at a length of three inches. The cuttings should be placed in a moist medium, such as sand or a peat-perlite mixture. Within two to three weeks, they should start to root.
- Catmint is typically unaffected by either pests or illnesses. The only issue that can occasionally arise is leaf spot. There is no consensus that the severity of this fungus illness justifies control measures.
- Experience has taught me that some cats are drawn to catmint. If you’re worried about this, cover newly planted or transplanted catmint with chicken wire to stop your cat from consuming it or rolling about in it.
- This plant attracts butterflies and bees like crazy. Additionally, hummingbirds adore it.
- You’ll adore this plant if your garden is plagued by four-legged animals other than cats. Deer, voles, and rabbits are deterred by the foliage’s minty aroma. THIS is a plant that pays for itself, at last!
Is cat mint a problem?
They believed it would entice cats to prey on rodents hiding about the farm or house. However, current research suggests that catmint may not just be discovered around the foundations of historic European homes and barns. According to a recent USDA study, termites are unlikely to dig tunnels through soil where catmint flourishes. Naturally, a moat made of this plant would prevent these pests from penetrating the wood of a hut or cottage.
Termites, mosquitoes, and cockroaches are all repelled by the same chemical that draws cats. Nepeta cataria, also referred to as common catnip, is a plant that contains it. Nepetalactone, a terpene found in these herbs, has been shown to be several times more effective at repelling insects than harmful DEET. To influence a cat, the plants release oils that must be breathed rather than consumed. This explains why cats are so prone to rolling around in catmint plants. More volatile oils are released from the leaves when it is bruised. Cats can detect airborne odors down to one part per billion.
Not all felines react the same way to these herbs. In fact, roughly 30% of household cats might not even respond to catmint. It’s a hereditary reaction that can vary in intensity from person to person and is inherited. Strangely, until they are at least 3 months old, extremely young kittens rarely react to nepetalactone.
There are a dizzying variety of plants in the genus Nepeta. The large invasive plant known as real catmint is described above. It grows to a height of three feet and bears few white blooms. It usually only appears in herb gardens and has very nothing to recommend it in terms of aesthetics. Due to its hardiness up to Zone 3, it is a fantastic choice for gardens in the north.
Through natural cross-pollination and human breeding, numerous species have been introduced into gardens over time and transformed into new varieties. The outcome is a wide variety of garden-worthy catmints that are much better prospects for your yard than the usual kind. Keep in mind that these immigrants won’t be as resistant to the cold as the species is. The majority, but not all, are sterile, preventing plants from spreading outward in the absence of viable seed. Simply deadhead the flowers after they are spent to stop seed formation in order to completely avoid self sowing.
The Six Hills Giant, which stands 3 feet tall, is the most impressive version. Late in the summer, foot-long spikes of dark violet blooms appear on lush, spherical plants. It is generally accessible and a superb option for novice growers.
Nepeta racemosa “Walker’s Low,” which has a shorter size, is an excellent edging plant. A gentle carpet of blue fills up the front of a border. It only grows to a height of 18 inches but produces dense clusters of vividly blue flower spikes. Walkers Low and Six Hills are resilient to Zone 5.
Catmints typically grow best in sandy, well-drained soils, although they will grow almost anywhere that isn’t moist. Late in the growing season, they can become rangy, and regular trimming is beneficial to prevent the taller forms from flopping in the rain.
Today, catmint merits another look as a natural pest deterrent for eco-friendly dwellings. wherever there is a chance of infestation, plant. Kittie won’t overdose, though, as cats all seem to have a sense of proportion.