Perennials

Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low'

Walker's Low catmint

Lamiaceae

Caucasus, northern Iran, southwestern Asia (parent species); cultivar of UK origin

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Width24-36 inches (60-90 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (moderate)
Container Friendly
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A mounding, aromatic perennial in the family Lamiaceae, a cultivar of Nepeta racemosa native to the Caucasus, Iran, and adjacent regions of southwestern Asia. 'Walker's Low' forms relaxed, billowing mounds 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) tall and 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) wide (not low, despite the name — named after a garden in Northern Ireland) of small, oval to heart-shaped, softly gray-green, finely toothed leaves on square stems. From late spring onward, the mound is blanketed in slender, branching spikes of small, tubular, two-lipped flowers 0.5 inch (1.5 cm) long in soft lavender-blue, providing 8–12 weeks of near-continuous bloom from late May through August. Cutting back hard after the first flush stimulates a vigorous second flush in late summer. The foliage has a strong, pleasant mint-like fragrance when touched. This cultivar is sterile, producing no viable seed. Highly attractive to bees, particularly bumblebees. Deer and rabbit resistant. Hardy in zones 3–8. Named Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association in 2007.

Native Range

Nepeta racemosa (the parent species) is native to the Caucasus, northern Iran, and adjacent parts of southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, growing on dry, rocky slopes, open scrub, and stony ground in well-drained soil in full sun. 'Walker's Low' is a garden cultivar of UK origin.

Suggested Uses

Planted as edging, ground cover, or border infill at 24–30 inch (60–75 cm) spacing. One of the most versatile and reliable of all border perennials. Classic combination with roses — the soft lavender-blue complements virtually all rose colors. Effective cascading over walls, as a driveway edge, or as an informal low hedge. An essential plant for pollinator gardens and drought-tolerant borders.

How to Identify

Identified by relaxed, billowing mounds of small, oval, softly gray-green, aromatic leaves on square stems, covered from late spring through summer in slender spikes of small two-lipped lavender-blue flowers. The combination of the relaxed mounding habit, soft gray-green fragrant foliage, and prolonged lavender-blue bloom is characteristic. Distinguished from Nepeta x faassenii cultivars by slightly larger leaves and more vigorous habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

lavender
blue
purple

Foliage Colors

gray
green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~18 weeks
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Blooms late May through August in zones 3–8, with the main flush in June–July. After the first flush, cutting the plant back by half stimulates a strong second bloom in August–September. In mild Pacific Northwest gardens, continuous bloom from late May through October is achievable with one or two hard cuts. One of the longest-blooming hardy perennials in the temperate palette.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

soft lavender-blue

Foliage Description

softly gray-green, small, oval to heart-shaped, finely toothed

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandchalkrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in average to poor, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Tolerates drought, heat, and lean soils once established; avoid wet or waterlogged conditions which cause crown rot. After the first main bloom flush, cut the entire plant back by half (to 6–9 inches/15–23 cm) to stimulate a vigorous second flush of both foliage and flowers. Space plants at 24–30 inches (60–75 cm). No staking required. Virtually pest and disease free. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Pruning

Cut back by half immediately after the first bloom flush (typically late July) — cut to approximately 6–9 inches (15–23 cm) above the crown. New foliage and a second bloom flush will emerge within 3–4 weeks. In fall, cut all stems to 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) above the crown after frost. In early spring, remove any remaining dead stems before new growth pushes. Division every 3–4 years in early spring maintains vigor.

Pruning Schedule

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summerfallearly spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic