The 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year

The Perennial Plant Association is a trade organization made up of nurseries, landscapers, and other garden industry experts, dedicated to educating gardeners on exceptional perennial plants. Each year, members of the association cast their vote for a plant that they feel is worthy of the title of Perennial Plant of the Year. For the year 2007, the ballots have been cast and the votes have been counted. This year the award goes to a catmint named, "Walker's Low."

Selection Criteria

To win the award for Perennial Plant of the Year is no small feat. Members take the selection process very seriously (the percentage of ballots returned is said to be higher than that of the November general election). To be eligible to win, nominated plants need to meet or exceed the following set of performance-based criteria:

• suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions
• low maintenance
• pest and disease resistant
• readily available in the year of release
• exhibit multiple seasons of ornamental interest
• be easily propagated by asexual or seed propagation

Walker's Low was introduced in Europe in 1988 and has been growing in popularity every year since. First discovered in an Irish garden by a woman named Patricia Taylor in the 1970s, its name is said to come from a place in England, and doesn't reflect its growing habits.

How to Grow 'Walker's Low'

Botanical Name: Nepeta Faassenii

Common Name: Catmint Variety: Walker's Low

Life Cycle: Perennial

Height: Despite its name and the fact that it's considered a dwarf catmint, Walker's Low grows to a height of 2 to 3 _ ft. tall and will spread equally as wide under the right growing conditions.

Exposure: Full sun; will tolerate shade in warmer zones.

Soil: Prefers an average, well-drained soil with a neutral pH. Once established, Walker's Low is both drought and salt-tolerant.

Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 3; grows best in zones 3 to 8.

Bloom Time: The first flush of flowers start blooming in early summer (May). Shearing the plant after the first flush will refresh the foliage and produce a significant second flush of long lasting blooms that extends to the first frost.

Flower: Deep lavender-blue flowers clustered on upright stems.

Foliage: Crinkled, silver-green and aromatic. The leaves have are oval shaped with strongly-toothed margins.

Propagation: Seeds, division or stem cuttings.

Suggested Use: Use Walker's Low as a companion to roses, or pair it with tickseed, foxglove, iris, daylilies, dianthus, or peonies to create a classic cottage garden look. Many gardeners also combine it with sage or thyme in the herb garden, where it is considered a reliable substitute for lavender. Once established, Walker's Low is both drought and salt-tolerant, which makes it suitable for planting in rock gardens or along walking paths and driveways.

Interesting Facts: As a family, Nepetas contain a chemical called nepatalactone, which is known to stimulate cats, although many gardeners report that Walker's Low is not as attractive to felines as other members of the Nepeta family (e.g. Nepeta cataria, a.k.a. catnip). It is considered deer and rabbit resistant, but birds, bees and butterflies find it irresistible.