Nepeta Faassenii 'Walker's Low'

Garden Catmint, Walkers Low Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’
Walker’s Low Catmint / Faassen’s Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ is a hardy herbaceous perennial with aromatic gray-green to silvery foliage and long-blooming lavender-blue flowers held on upright stems. It forms a spreading mound and blooms from late spring or early summer into fall, especially if sheared after the first heavy flush. Despite the name “Low,” it is not one of the very shortest catmints; the name comes from a garden called Walker’s Low, not the plant’s height. NC State lists it as a hybrid of Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 24–36 in. wide × 18–30 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Spreading, mounded clump with upright flowering stems
Light: Full sun to part shade; best bloom in full sun
Soil / Water: Average to dry, well-drained soil; low to moderate water once established
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring through fall; often early summer to fall with trimming
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; deer and rabbits usually avoid the aromatic foliage. Wisconsin Horticulture specifically notes bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for sunny borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, edging, mass plantings, slopes, herb gardens, rose underplanting, and dry garden areas. ‘Walker’s Low’ is valued for its long bloom season, soft blue-purple flower color, fragrant foliage, and ability to soften edges along walks or walls. It spreads wider than many compact catmints, so it works well where a fuller, billowy mound is wanted. NC State describes ‘Walker’s Low’ as having deep lavender-blue flowers.

Care:
Plant in well-drained soil and avoid wet winter conditions. Shear back after the first main bloom to encourage fresh foliage and rebloom. Cut back old stems in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Avoid heavy fertilizer or overly rich soil, which can make the plant floppy.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

18-30"

Width

24-36''

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Fall, Early Summer, Late Spring, Late Summer, Summer

Flower color

Lavender

Fall color

Light Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Average, Dry Area, Well Drained

Landscape use

Border, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Mounded, Spreading

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No