Walker's Low catmint is a spreading perennial herb native to the Caucasus and northern Iran, celebrated for its exceptional drought tolerance and nearly carefree nature. Growing to just 12-15 inches tall with a mature spread of 18-24 inches, this cultivar produces pale lilac to deep violet, highly fragrant flowers from May through September. Hardy in zones 3-8, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and poor to average soil, making it one of the easiest perennials to establish. The gray-green, aromatic foliage remains attractive even when the plant isn't in bloom, and it's completely ignored by deer and rabbits, a genuine rarity in the garden.
3
Full Sun
Moderate
3-8
15in H x 24in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
Gray-green, finely textured foliage releases an intoxicating aroma when brushed or bruised, filling your garden with herbal fragrance. The pale lilac flowers appear in loose, airy spikes that bloom continuously from late spring through early fall, drawing butterflies and native pollinators with remarkable consistency. Unlike many catmints, Walker's Low is sterile and won't self-seed, giving you complete control over where it spreads. Low maintenance and drought-tough once established, it handles rocky soils, urban conditions, and competition with ease.
Catmint is grown primarily as an ornamental herb rather than for culinary harvesting, though its foliage is edible and aromatic. Gardeners prize it for cottage gardens, borders, and pollinator plantings where its long bloom season and low stature work beautifully. The fragrant foliage appeals to cats, who often enjoy rolling or resting in the sturdy plants. Its drought tolerance and deer resistance make it valuable in areas where water is limited or wildlife browsing is a persistent problem.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Sow seeds 1 inch apart in seed-starting mix and cover lightly. Keep the mix warm and consistently moist with strong light above the seedlings. Feed with half-strength fertilizer every 2 weeks. Once seedlings are well-established, transplant them 2-3 inches apart into deeper containers so root systems have adequate space. When seedlings reach 3-4 inches tall, acclimate them gradually to outdoor conditions over several days.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings into the garden in full sun, spacing them 12 inches apart. Plant after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Young plants tolerate moderate moisture during establishment, but adjust watering to moderate levels as they mature and develop deeper roots.
Shear flower spikes after the initial flush of blooms ends in early summer, cutting back to about 6 inches tall. This stimulates a second wave of flowering that extends into fall. Tall or leggy growth may benefit from light staking or support to keep plants tidy.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Walker's Low is a named cultivar of Nepeta racemosa, a species native to the Caucasus Mountains and northern Iran. Catmint itself has deep roots in European gardening and classical history; the genus name Nepeta comes from the Latin for aromatic plants, and may honor the ancient Etruscan city of Nepete (modern-day Nepi) north of Rome. This cultivar emerged through careful horticultural selection to create a lower-growing, more compact form than the wild species, making it practical for contemporary gardens where space and visual proportion matter. The 'Walker's Low' name reflects the gardener or nursery that selected and propagated this superior clone, preserving its sterility and consistent performance.”