Every year the Perennial Plant Association names a garden-worthy perennial as its plant of the year. They have been doing this from the early 1990ies and have a wonderful record of picking plants that perform well in the garden and are rather easy to grow.

This year's pick is Nepeta 'Walker's Low'. Some sources claim this is a catmint. Others say it is catnip. Others say cats are finicky and are picky about their catmints or catnips. I agree that cats can be finicky and quit there.

Nepeta is a member of the mint family, so that gives you a clue about its vigor. It really is tame by mint standards, but should be given a bit of room. In my garden it probably tripled in size by the second season and after five years is about three feet across.

The plant was introduced in Europe in 1988. It was named for a garden there and the name is not related to plant size. Expect a height of 30 to 36 inches in the garden if the plant is very happy. The pot tag will probably claim it to be about half that size.

It is grown for its violet-blue flowers, long bloom period, attractive grey-green foliage, lack of pest and disease problems and low maintenance requirements. 'Walker's Low' likes well-drained soil but is tolerant of drought when established. Here I believe it is best used as a full sun plant.

The flower is violet-blue and clustered on upright arching stems. The bloom begins in mid-summer. On its own, the bloom is extended. With deadheading it will be even longer.

It's versatile in use. The literature suggests the front to middle of the perennial border, as a ground cover, in the large rock garden or cascading over a wall. I never thought of the last one but believe that would produce a great effect. I might try it to replace a wonderful shrub that I now have over a wall that is not so wonderful there because of severe winterkill each year.

If you are interested in critters, look for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. The pest insects seem to have other likes and seldom bother this plant. It is also said to be deer and rabbit resistant.

The deer resistance goes back to the theory that deer depend largely on smell to warn of danger. Since the leaves emit a strong mint aroma when crushed, it is avoided. About rabbits I don't know, but I do have rabbits and my nepeta is still happy.

Hats off to the Perennial Plant Association for another great pick. It's been a bit since we shared that entire list. Why not next week? It's a great place for the new perennial gardener to start and would serve well as the backbone of any perennial effort.