Walkers Low catmint pairs beautifully with roses and peonies, yet its true companion value shows when planted alongside ornamental grasses and salvia. If you are looking for catmint walkers low companion plants, you have likely seen this silver-leaved perennial in countless garden photos. It is a workhorse plant that offers months of color, fragrance, and texture without demanding much from you in return.
This variety of catmint (Nepeta racemosa) is not the same as the common catnip that sends felines into a frenzy. Walkers Low is a sterile hybrid, which means it won’t self-seed all over your borders. It forms a tidy, dense mound of aromatic gray-green foliage. From late spring through early autumn, it produces endless spikes of soft lavender-blue flowers. Bees, butterflies, and hoverflies absolutely adore it.
The real magic happens when you start thinking about what to plant next to it. The right neighbors can make Walkers Low look even better, while also helping to suppress weeds and support local wildlife. In this guide, you will learn exactly which plants work well, which ones to avoid, and how to design a planting scheme that looks professional.
Why Walkers Low Catmint Is A Garden Essential
Before we jump into the companion list, it helps to understand why this plant is so popular. Walkers Low grows to about 12 to 18 inches tall and spreads roughly 18 to 24 inches wide. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and rarely bothered by deer or rabbits.
It blooms for an incredibly long time. If you shear it back after the first flush of flowers fades, you will get a second, often equally impressive, bloom in late summer. This makes it a reliable filler for any sunny border.
Its soft, muted color palette is easy to work with. The lavender-blue flowers and silvery foliage pair well with almost any other color. You can use it to soften bold reds, brighten dark greens, or create a calming monochromatic scheme.
Key Benefits Of Using Walkers Low In Your Garden
- Long blooming period from late spring to fall
- Low maintenance and drought tolerant once established
- Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Works well in borders, containers, and rock gardens
- Provides a soft, mounding texture that contrasts with spiky plants
Catmint Walkers Low Companion Plants For Full Sun Borders
This is the section you have been waiting for. The best companions for Walkers Low catmint share similar growing conditions. They need full sun, average to dry soil, and good drainage. Here are the top performers that will make your garden look intentional and polished.
Ornamental Grasses For Movement And Contrast
Ornamental grasses are arguably the best partners for catmint. The fine, arching blades of grasses like blue fescue (Festuca glauca) or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) create a beautiful contrast with the rounded catmint mounds. The grass adds movement when the wind blows, while the catmint provides a solid anchor.
Try pairing Walkers Low with Pennisetum alopecuroides (fountain grass). The fluffy, bottlebrush-like plumes of the grass echo the spiky flowers of the catmint, but in a softer way. This combination looks good from June through the first frost.
For a more natural, prairie-style look, use a taller grass like Miscanthus sinensis. Place the catmint in front of the grass. The silver-green foliage of the catmint will pick up the light, while the taller grass forms a backdrop.
Salvia And Other Spiky Bloomers
Salvia is a classic partner for catmint. Both plants have vertical flower spikes, but they come in different shades. Blue salvia (Salvia nemorosa) looks stunning next to the lavender-blue of Walkers Low. The slight difference in tone creates depth without clashing.
You can also use pink or red salvia for a bolder look. The cool blue of the catmint will calm down the hot colors. This is a great way to add drama to a sunny border without making it feel chaotic.
Other spiky plants that work well include:
- Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – silvery stems and airy blue flowers
- Liatris (blazing star) – purple bottlebrush spikes
- Veronica (speedwell) – dense, upright spikes in blue, pink, or white
- Lupines – tall, dramatic spikes in many colors
Roses And Shrubs For A Classic Cottage Look
Walkers Low catmint is a legendary companion for roses. The soft blue flowers hide the sometimes leggy base of rose bushes. The catmint also helps to deter aphids, which are a common pest on roses. Plant a ring of catmint around the base of your rose bush for a romantic, English-style border.
Peonies also pair well with catmint. Peonies bloom in late spring, just as the catmint is starting to hit its stride. The peony provides large, showy flowers, while the catmint offers a soft, airy contrast. Once the peonies finish blooming, the catmint will keep the area looking full and colorful.
For a more structured look, use catmint to underplant small shrubs like spirea or potentilla. The shrubs provide a woody structure, while the catmint fills in the gaps at their feet.
Best Plants To Fill The Mid-Border With Catmint
Walkers Low is a mid-border plant. It sits nicely between taller background plants and low-growing groundcovers. Here are some ideas for filling that middle layer.
Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow has flat-topped clusters of flowers that contrast beautifully with the vertical spikes of catmint. Yellow yarrow (Achillea filipendulina) is a particularly striking partner. The bright yellow against the cool blue is a classic color combination. Yarrow is also drought-tolerant and attracts beneficial insects.
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis is a cheerful, daisy-like flower that blooms all summer. It comes in shades of yellow, orange, and red. The fine, fern-like foliage of some varieties contrasts nicely with the broader leaves of catmint. This is an easy, low-maintenance pairing.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum)
Shasta daisies are a garden classic. Their crisp white petals and yellow centers look fresh and clean next to the soft blue of catmint. This combination is simple but very effective. It works in both formal and informal garden styles.
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender and catmint are a match made in heaven. Both love hot, dry, sunny spots with poor soil. They have similar growing requirements and look fantastic together. The silver foliage of lavender echoes the gray-green leaves of catmint. The flower colors are also complementary, with lavender’s deeper purple-blue mixing well with catmint’s lighter blue.
Groundcovers And Edging Plants To Use With Walkers Low
To create a layered look, you need something at the front of the border. These low-growing plants will spill over the edge of a path or bed, softening the hard lines.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum)
Creeping thyme is a low, mat-forming perennial that tolerates foot traffic. It produces tiny pink, purple, or white flowers in early summer. It is a great edging plant for a sunny path. The fine texture of the thyme contrasts with the larger leaves of the catmint.
Dianthus (Pinks)
Dianthus forms low mounds of grassy foliage. They produce fragrant, frilly flowers in pink, red, or white. They bloom in late spring, right as the catmint is starting. This is a classic cottage garden pairing. The spicy-sweet fragrance of dianthus is a bonus.
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Low-growing sedums, like Sedum spurium, are excellent groundcovers. They have succulent leaves that store water, making them extremely drought-tolerant. They come in various colors, including green, red, and burgundy. The fleshy leaves provide a different texture than the catmint.
What Not To Plant With Catmint Walkers Low
While catmint is very forgiving, there are a few plants that will not thrive next to it. Avoid these to prevent frustration.
- Shade-loving plants like hostas or ferns – they will get scorched in the sun that catmint needs
- Moisture-loving plants like astilbe or ligularia – they need consistently wet soil, while catmint prefers it dry
- Aggressive spreaders like mint or bishop’s weed – they will quickly take over and choke out the catmint
- Very tall, dense plants that will shade the catmint – it needs full sun to bloom well
Designing A Planting Scheme With Catmint
Now that you know the best companions, it is time to put them together. Here is a simple step-by-step plan for a beautiful border.
- Start with a backdrop. Plant a tall shrub or ornamental grass at the back of the border. This gives you height and structure.
- Add your mid-layer. Plant Walkers Low catmint in groups of three or five for maximum impact. Space them about 18 inches apart.
- Intersperse with other mid-height perennials like salvia or yarrow. Alternate the colors so they don’t all blend together.
- Finish with a front edge. Use a low groundcover like creeping thyme or dianthus to soften the edge of the border.
- Add a focal point. Place a decorative boulder, a birdbath, or a piece of garden art nearby to draw the eye.
Color Combinations That Always Work
If you are unsure about color, stick to these foolproof combinations:
- Blue and yellow: Catmint with coreopsis or yarrow
- Blue and white: Catmint with Shasta daisies or white salvia
- Blue and pink: Catmint with roses or dianthus
- Blue and silver: Catmint with lavender or Russian sage
Maintenance Tips For A Healthy Catmint Border
Walkers Low is easy to care for, but a little maintenance goes a long way.
Water newly planted catmint regularly for the first few weeks. Once established, it rarely needs extra water. Overwatering can cause root rot, so err on the side of dryness.
Fertilizing is usually not necessary. In fact, too much fertilizer will make the plant grow leggy and flop over. A thin layer of compost in the spring is more than enough.
Shearing is the most important task. After the first flush of flowers fades in early summer, cut the whole plant back by about half. This encourages a second bloom and keeps the plant compact. You can do this again in late summer if needed.
Divide the plant every three to four years in the spring or fall. This keeps it vigorous and gives you free plants for other parts of the garden.
Using Catmint In Containers
Walkers Low also works well in pots. This is a great option if you have a patio or balcony. Use a large container with good drainage holes. Fill it with a well-draining potting mix.
Combine catmint with trailing plants like calibrachoa or bacopa for a spilling effect. Add a spiky plant like an ornamental grass or a salvia in the center for height. Place the container in a sunny spot and water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Container-grown catmint will need more frequent watering than garden plants. It will also benefit from a light feeding every few weeks during the growing season.
Wildlife Benefits Of Catmint Companions
Planting catmint with the right companions creates a haven for pollinators. Bees are especially attracted to the blue flowers. Butterflies also love the nectar-rich blooms.
Ornamental grasses provide shelter for beneficial insects and small animals. They also offer seeds for birds in the winter. Yarrow and dianthus attract predatory insects that eat common garden pests like aphids.
By choosing a diverse mix of plants, you create a balanced ecosystem. This reduces the need for pesticides and makes your garden more resilient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant catmint walkers low next to vegetables?
Yes, you can. Catmint is known to repel certain pests like aphids and flea beetles. Planting it near your vegetable garden can be beneficial. It also attracts pollinators that will help with fruit set on crops like tomatoes and squash.
How far apart should I space catmint walkers low and its companions?
Space Walkers Low catmint about 18 inches apart from other perennials. This gives them room to grow without crowding. For larger companions like roses or shrubs, leave at least 12 inches of space between the catmint and the base of the larger plant.
Does catmint walkers low need full sun?
Yes, it performs best in full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate some light afternoon shade, but it will bloom less and may become leggy. In very hot climates, a little afternoon shade can actually be beneficial.
Is walkers low catmint invasive?
No, Walkers Low is a sterile hybrid. It does not produce viable seeds, so it will not self-seed around your garden. It spreads slowly by its root system, but it is not considered invasive. It is very well-behaved compared to other catmint varieties.
What is the best time to plant catmint and its companions?
Spring and fall are the best times to plant. The cooler temperatures and increased rainfall give the roots time to establish before the heat of summer or the cold of winter. Avoid planting during the hottest part of the summer if you can.
Final Thoughts On Companion Planting With Walkers Low
Catmint Walkers Low is a versatile and rewarding plant. It is forgiving, beautiful, and beneficial to the garden ecosystem. The key to success is choosing companions that share its love for sun and well-drained soil. Stick with ornamental grasses, salvia, roses, and other drought-tolerant perennials.
Do not be afraid to experiment. Gardening is a process of trial and error. If a combination does not work, you can always move the plants in the fall. The most important thing is to have fun and create a space that makes you happy.
Start with a few of the suggested pairings and see what works in your specific conditions. Your garden will thank you for it. The bees and butterflies will certainly appreciate the extra nectar sources. With a little planning, you can have a vibrant, low-maintenance border that looks great from spring to fall.