Nepeta racemosa
‘Walker’s Low’
‘Walker’s Low’ catmint
lamiaceae
Small lavender-blue flowers; gray-green
leaves
30 in. high; 36 in. wide
Full sun
Blooms June–July
Zones 3–8
pruning As with the previous plant,
deadheading doesn’t do much to
prolong bloom on this perennial; it is
better to simply shear plants back by
about two-thirds after flowering for
lush new growth and sporadic
rebloom. Shearing controls sprawling
stems and declining foliage. ‘Walker’s
Low’ is a sterile form, so no seedlings
will pop up if plants aren’t sheared
after bloom. This catmint isn’t very
attractive over winter, and cutting it
back after several killing frosts may be
desirable.other maintenance ‘Walker’s
Low’ catmint is easily grown in
average well-draining soil. Some
gardeners like to prop up the sprawl-
ing stems a bit; despite the name, the
plant can reach 30 in. in height.
Division is seldom needed, but it can
be done in the spring if desired.
related plantS Nepeta sibirica
‘Souvenir d’André Chaudron’ can be
cut back by half in early June, or when
about 2 ft. tall (plants may be in tight
bud), for fuller, more compact growth
and a 3- to 4-week delay in flowering.
Pruned plants flower in August, while
unpruned plants are usually finished
blooming in mid-July. Cutting plants
back before early June will not
produce such a delay in bloom.
Deadhead plants to lateral flowering
buds and then cut down to fresh new
basal foliage after all flowering is
completed.Nepeta subsessilis
Japanese catmint
lamiaceae
Whorls of violet-blue or pink flowers;
fragrant green leaves
18–30 in. high; 18–30 in. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms May–September
Zones 4–8
pruning Plants may be pinched in
early spring or midspring to encour-
age a fuller, more compact habit.
Shearing after the blossoms fade will
also promote a neater form and may
spur rebloom later in the season.
Leaving the stems standing, on the
other hand, may allow for a modest
amount of reseeding and will provide
food for finches. Cut plants to the
ground after several killing frosts
render them unsightly.
other maintenance Japanese
catmint needs more moisture than
other catmints and can tolerate part
shade; it makes a good rain garden
plant. This fast grower may need
staking in windy sites. No major pests
or diseases trouble it.Nepeta racemosa
‘Walker’s Low’