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Faassen’s Catnip Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low'

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low'
Description

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 may do better with some afternoon shade and may be bothered by humidity. 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.

This plant is generally care free, but cutting back spent blossoms will ensure beautiful lavender-blue color from spring through fall. Mass or naturalized plantings are eye-catching.  

Fragrant silvery leaves, especially when crushed, make this plant appealing. As the 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year, it is also resistant to damage from deer, and cats are less attracted to it than to catnip, despite the name. However, Walker’s Low catmint is a pollinator magnet.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Nepeta x faassenii.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#purple flowers#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#low maintenance#air pollution tolerant#deer resistant#sterile#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#purple flowers#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#low maintenance#air pollution tolerant#deer resistant#sterile#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Nepeta
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    West Asia (Turkey and Iran)
    Wildlife Value:
    Pollinators are attracted to the flowers
    Edibility:
    Leaves are used in teas. Cats
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Sterile seeds produced
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/2 inch trumpet-shaped flowers are small but showy in loose clusters. They have 4 stamens and lavender-blue petals. They are sterile with no seed production and will rebloom if cut back mid-summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The oval, crinkly, silvery-green leaves are 1-2 inches long and wide, hairy, fragrant when crushed with intricate venation. Margins are crenate and base cordate (heart-shaped). Not as attractive to cats as N. cataria, the straight species.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Square green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Pollution