<em>Nepeta × faassenii</em> ‘Walker’s Low’

Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low' is easy to propagate, is a low-maintenance selection adn is pest- and disease-tolerant.Patricia Taylor selected ‘Walker’s Low’ in an Irish garden in the 1970s. Its name reflects its origins, not its growth habit. It grows up to 36 inches high with a spread of up to 30 inches. This Persian catmint has crinkled, aromatic, silver-green foliage. Prolific, small, dark blue-purple flowers are clustered densely on upright arching stems. It will flower almost continuously from May until frost if it’s pruned by two-thirds when the initial flowers fade. ‘Walker’s Low’ was the 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year.

In the nursery
Vegetative cuttings root easily under mist, according to Allen Pyle of C. Raker & Sons Inc. in Litchfield, Mich. Cuttings generally don’t require rooting hormone. Tip cuttings should be stuck in a well-drained growing medium with a pH of 5.8-6.4 and electrical conductivity of 1.0-2.0. It takes about five weeks to root and grow a 72-cell liner to transplantable size.

Transplant one rooted liner per quart or gallon container. Fertility requirements for ‘Walker’s Low’ are moderate and can be met with either a constant feeding of 75-100 ppm nitrogen or twice-weekly feeding of 150-200 ppm nitrogen.
High light levels (2,500-5,000 footcandles) promote more compact growth and a better habit. ‘Walker’s Low’ is a long-day plant, requiring days at least 14 hours long for three to five weeks after transplant or until flower buds become visible to initiate flowering. Vernalization is not required.

SPECIFICS

Name: Nepeta × faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ Description: Aromatic, scalloped, gray-green foliage with long-lasting spikes of 1- to 2-inch long, lavender-blue flowers from spring to fall. Plants grow up to 36 inches tall with a spread of up to 30 inches. Propagation: By division or cuttings. Landscape use: As a border plant, in a rock garden, as a groundcover or in a container. Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.

Plants in quart or gallon pots typically flower five to seven weeks after transplant when grown under long days at 70°F average temperatures. Flowering will be greatly delayed under short-day conditions.

Plant habit tends to be somewhat trailing, and height can be controlled with plant-growth regulators. This is especially important when growing in quarts. Watch for crown rot if plants are consistently overwatered, especially in poorly drained growing media.

 

In the landscape
‘Walker’s Low’ is suitable in the landscape or in containers. Use it as a border plant to outline a walkway, to cascade in a rock garden or as a groundcover. It’s hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.

It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate shade in hot climates. Plant it in a well-drained soil with a neutral pH. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant.

It’s a good companion plant for early- and late-blooming plants. It attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.

For more: C. Raker & Sons. Perennial Plant Association, www.perennialplant.org.