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Nepeta Walkers Low Catmint for Sale Online
Walker's Low Catmint (Nepeta 'Walkers Low') is a versatile, hardy perennial prized for its aromatic, gray-green foliage and abundant spikes of lavender-blue flowers. Blooming from late spring through early summer, this catmint creates a soft, flowing look, perfect for borders, walkways, or mass plantings. Reaching a height of 24-30 inches and spreading up to 36 inches, Walkers Low Catmint is ideal for adding texture and color to any sunny garden. Its fragrant flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, while its deer and rabbit resistance make it a low-maintenance choice for wildlife-prone areas.
Walkers Low Catmint's key features is its drought tolerance, making it an excellent option for xeriscaping or low-water gardens. This perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil but can also tolerate partial shade. It requires minimal care, making it a favorite among beginner and seasoned gardeners alike. With its cascading growth habit, Walkers Low Catmint pairs beautifully with other sun-loving perennials like salvia, roses, and coneflowers, enhancing garden beds and borders with its soft, billowing blooms and aromatic leaves.
In addition to its beauty and resilience, Nepeta Walkers Low is known for its extended bloom time. After the first flush of flowers, you can easily encourage a second round of blooms by cutting the plant back mid-summer, keeping the plant tidy and promoting new growth. Whether used as a groundcover, in cottage gardens or to soften the edges of pathways, Nepeta Walkers Low adds lasting beauty and fragrance to the landscape with minimal effort.
2007 Perennial Plant of the Year
Hardiness Zone: | 4-9 |
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Mature Height: | 1.5 to 2 Feet |
Mature Width: | 1 to 1.5 Feet |
Classification: | Perennial |
Sunlight: | Full sun |
Habit: | Spreading, clump forming |
Flower Color: | Bluish purple |
Flowering Season: | Late May through September |
Foliage: | Blue-green fragrant foliage |
Soil Condition: | Prefers dry, average to sandy soil |
Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting; attracts pollinators |
How to Care for Walkers Low Catmint
Before you buy a Nepeta Walker Low Catmint Plant, make sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep this plant healthy and thriving.
How do I plant a Walkers Low Catmint Plant?
To plant a Walker's Low Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low'), start by selecting a location that receives full sun to part shade, as this will ensure optimal blooming and healthy growth. Walker's Low Catmint prefers well-drained soil, so choose a spot with sandy or loamy soil, and if your soil is heavy clay, consider amending it with compost or grit to improve drainage. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep as the root system. Gently remove the catmint from its container, loosen the roots slightly, and place it in the hole with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole with soil, firming it gently around the roots, and water thoroughly to help the plant settle in. After planting, apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the Walker's Low Catmint to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. However, be careful to keep the mulch a few inches away from the plant's crown to prevent rot. Space multiple plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to allow them room to spread and create a dense, lush display. Walker's Low Catmint is drought-tolerant once established, but during the first growing season, water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. With proper planting and care, Walker's Low Catmint will reward you with aromatic, gray-green foliage and clusters of beautiful lavender-blue flowers, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden from late spring to early fall.
How do I water Walkers Low Catmint?
Watering Walker's Low Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low') properly is essential to establish a healthy root system and promote vibrant blooms. During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Deep watering encourages roots to grow down into the soil, resulting in a more resilient plant. Once the Walker's Low Catmint is established, it becomes quite drought-tolerant and only requires supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells. Always water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry, as this helps prevent fungal diseases, particularly during hot and humid weather. After the plant is established, Walker's Low Catmint generally needs little water, especially in areas with regular rainfall. Monitor the soil and water only when the top inch feels dry, as overwatering can lead to root rot and other health issues. Applying a 1-2 inch layer of mulch around the base can help retain soil moisture and keep the root zone cool, particularly during the hot summer months. By providing deep, infrequent watering, you will help your Walker's Low Catmint develop strong roots and produce an abundance of fragrant, lavender-blue flowers that attract pollinators and bring beauty to your garden from late spring through fall.
How do I fertilize Walkers Low Catmint?
Fertilizing Walker's Low Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low') should be done sparingly, as this hardy perennial thrives in low to moderately fertile soils. In early spring, as new growth begins to emerge, apply a light feeding of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formulation, to give the plant a boost after winter dormancy. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant, but avoid direct contact with the crown to prevent burn. Walker's Low Catmint does not require heavy fertilization, as too much nitrogen can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production, reducing the plant's stunning lavender-blue blooms. For gardeners seeking a more organic approach, top-dress the soil with well-composted organic matter in the spring to enrich the soil and provide a gentle, natural nutrient boost. Once the initial spring feeding is complete, there is no need to fertilize again throughout the season—Walker’s Low Catmint is adapted to thrive with minimal nutrient input. Over-fertilizing can make the plant more prone to becoming leggy or flopping over, which takes away from its compact, mounding growth habit. With the right fertilization practices, Walker's Low Catmint will grow vigorously, producing aromatic, silvery-green foliage and an abundance of flowers that attract pollinators to your garden.
How do I Prune Walkers Low Catmint?
Pruning Walker's Low Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low') is important for maintaining its attractive, compact shape and encouraging a longer blooming period. The best time to perform major pruning is in late spring or early summer, after the initial flush of blooms starts to fade. At this point, cut back the plant by about one-third to one-half of its height using clean, sharp shears. This hard prune will remove spent flowers and promote a fresh flush of foliage and blooms, allowing Walker's Low Catmint to continue flowering throughout the growing season. Deadheading spent blooms during the season also helps to encourage continuous flowering and keeps the plant looking tidy. In addition to seasonal pruning, a light trim in early spring before new growth begins is recommended to remove any dead or damaged stems that may have resulted from winter weather. This helps to improve air circulation and ensures that new, healthy growth can emerge unimpeded. When pruning, always make your cuts just above a set of leaves or a node to encourage healthy, bushy growth. Avoid cutting into older, woody stems as these do not regenerate as well as the new, green growth. Regular pruning keeps Walker's Low Catmint looking lush and healthy, with aromatic foliage and abundant lavender-blue flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season.