Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low' was named 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association. Persian catmint has aromatic, scalloped, gray-green foliage and produces long-lasting spikes of 1- to 2-inch-long, lavender-blue flowers from spring to fall. Plants grow 12-18 inches tall and spread 18-24 inches.

It is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10. It will tolerate drought conditions once established. The plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Vegetative cuttings root easily under mist, said Allen Pyle, perennial guru at C. Raker & Sons Inc. in Litchfield, Mich. Cuttings generally do not 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 (saturated media extract). It takes about five weeks to root and grow a 72-cell liner to transplantable size. Optimal temperature for rooting is 72°F-75°F. Begin fertilizing cuttings once rooting has begun, generally within seven to 10 days, with 75-150 parts per million nitrogen.

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 feed 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.

Plants in quart or gallon containers generally flower five to seven weeks after transplant when grown under long days at 70°F average temperatures. Day temperatures of 60°F-75°F and night temperatures of 55°F-65°F are acceptable. Flowering will be greatly delayed under short-day conditions.

If artificial lighting is used to force plants for early sales, day extension with high-intensity discharge lamps (adding at least 1,200-1,500 footcandles of light) will produce better plants than night interruption with incandescent lights.

Plant habit tends to be somewhat trailing and height can be controlled with plant growth regulators. This is especially important when growing in quart containers. A Sumagic spray at 15 ppm is effective, and B-Nine at 5,000 ppm or Cycocel at 1,500 ppm are somewhat effective.

'Walker's Low' is generally pest and disease resistant. Crown rot, including Rhizoctonia, is a potential problem if plants are consistently overwatered, especially in a poorly drained growing media.

SPECIFICS:
Name: Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low.'
Crop timing: Total crop time from rooting cuttings in 72-cell trays and transplanting into gallon containers is 10-12 weeks, when grown under long days.
Grower benefits: Multiple-use crop for combination planters, specimen containers and use in the landscape. No major pests.
Selling points: Colorful perennial with lavender-blue flowers and fragrant gray-green foliage. It can be used in containers or as a landscape plant. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
For more: C. Raker & Sons Inc. 10371 Rainey Road, Litchfield, MI, 49252; (517) 542-2316; fax (517) 542-2565; www.raker.com. Perennial Plant Association, 3383 Schirtzinger Road, Hilliard OH 43026; (614) 771-8431; fax (614) 876-5238; www.perennialplant.org.

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© 2006 Branch-Smith Publishing