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Garden
Meet the perennial of the year: Walker's Low catmint
By JUDY STARK
Published January 13, 2007
The news: "Walker's Low" catmint has been named Perennial of the Year. It is "the quintessential plant for 21st century gardens," the Perennial Plant Association said in making the announcement. The name: The plant is named for the Walker's Low garden in England. Scientific name: Nepeta racemosa. An aromatic member of the mint family, it was first introduced in Europe in 1988. The plant: Grows about 36 inches high and spreads from 30 to 36 inches. Deep lavender-blue flowers. Foliage is crinkled, aromatic and silver-green, with toothed leaves 1 to 2 inches long. Not as appealing to cats as are many of its relatives. The criteria: Perennials of the Year must be suitable for a wide range of climates; low-maintenance; pest- and disease-resistant; readily available; must grow in multiple seasons; and must be easily propagated. What else likes it: Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Where it grows: Hardy in Zones 3 to 8, but Times garden correspondent Yvonne Swanson says there's some wiggle room here in Zone 9, especially in the cooler northern and inland parts of our area. The Pinellas County Extension lists catmint as an herb that does well in Florida. Swanson suggests starting catmint in a pot that can be moved during the year (full sun in winter, shade in summer) so it doesn't fry in our full summer heat. It thrives in average, well-drained soil and once established is drought- and salt-tolerant. It benefits from a good shearing a couple of times during the growing season. In your garden: Good planted with roses, where it disguises the bushes' lower stems. Grows well with other herbs (sages, thymes, lamb's ears); good substitute for lavender. Nice in a border or a rock garden. Available: At mail-order and online sources; may also be available at nurseries now that it has been named Perennial of the Year. Sources: McClatchy-Tribune Newspapers; www.gardening.about.com; www.hort.purdue.edu; www.perennialplant.org; and coop.co.pinellas.fl.us.
[Last modified January 12, 2007, 09:25:43]
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