Walker’s Low Catmint—Nepeta x faassenii

The Perennial Plant Association selected Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ as their Plant of the Year 2007. This herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) is hardy in zones 3-8. The common name for the genus Nepeta (catmint) comes from the attractiveness to cats of the aromatic volatiles released from the broken stems. Although Nepeta cataria is the true catnip which drives house cats ecstatic, the leaves of ‘Walker’s Low’ are also attractive, albeit somewhat less enticing, to cats.

  Nepeta racemosa, also commonly called catmint, is native to the Caucuses and northern Iran. It is a low-growing perennial that typically forms a spreading clump of decumbent, ascending and upright stems to 12” tall and 18” wide. Features gray-green, hairy, ovate leaves (to 1” long) with crenate margins, prominent veining and heart-shaped bases. Leaves are highly aromatic when crushed or bruised. Pale lilac to deep violet two-lipped flowers (1/ 2” long) clustered in loose raceme-like verticillasters (false whorls) bloom in spring. Bloom may continue throughout summer into early fall under proper growing conditions and with proper shearing of spent flowers. Although Nepeta cataria is the true catnip which drives house cats ecstatic. The leaves of the Nepeta racemosa species are attractive, but also less appealing to cats.

Walker’s Low catmint is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It originated in west Asia and is a hybrid plant, the result of a cross between Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella. It was first cultivated by Faassen Nurseries in the Netherlands and named for a garden called Walker’s Low.

Walker’s Low catmint thrives in full sun and dry, even rocky, soil. If planted in the south, it should be in afternoon shade. In ideal conditions, it may grow as high as 2 feet with a spread of 18 to 36 inches. This plant can be divided in the spring and will not take over a garden bed, unlike most plants in the mint family.

On the other hand, If you are looking for something attractive and neat to fill a flower bed, N. mussinii (syn. N. racemosa) is a better bet. This is the species you’ll typically see listed generically as “catmint.”

Dear Readers, Beware of my photographs identity, and also the various immense genus and species names. Such names are often the opinions of nurseries, their growers and suppliers, whereas the mint family (Lamiaceae ) is enormous.

Agaves are perennial succulents that thrive in warm climates, yet generally abhor excessive water. More than 250 genius or species of agaves flourish in a dry environment. Certain types of agave, like blue agave (Agave azul) and green maguey (Agave salmiana), are considered as the primary ingredient in the distilled liquors Tequila and Mezcal. Most agaves produce ‘pups’ – young plants from runners. With patience you can build your own assortment of agaves.

Agaves prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH level. Avoid planting in soil that retains moisture or becomes waterlogged. Some are more cold-tolerant than others, but they can’t handle damp cold. I make it easier to keep my Agaves in pots, spreading them in my gardens in the dry months of July, August, September and even October. When the cold wet winter arrives in the Pacific Northwest I will move the pots into my 8 X14 cool greenhouse, where I make sure minimum water and no lower than 40 degrees keep the agaves happy and ready for the next season.

Like so many gardeners I make mistakes such as forgetting to put my Agave Parryi in a sheltered place after a week of heavy rains. Here’s an example of what that happens to a plant I’ve neglected.

I neglected to bring this Agave in from the rain we had in September and October. You can see the edges suffered the most (dirty and wet). My bad.