Cats Meow

Cat Mint

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Walker's Low'

Summary: The plants of 'Cats Meow' are smaller with a shorter inflorescence than those of 'Walker's Low'. The inflorescence of 'Cats Meow' has shorter internodes between floret whorls than the inflorescence of 'Walker's Low'. The colour of the floret of 'Cats Meow' is lighter violet blue colour than that of 'Walker's Low'.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated perennial, spreading/trailing growth habit, medium to dense degree of branching
STEM: light green, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very weak glaucosity, sparse to medium density of pubescence, small to medium thickness, square edged shape

LEAF: simple type, opposite arrangement
LEAF BLADE: ovate shape, acute apex, truncate base, serrate margin, variegation absent
LEAF (UPPER SIDE): sparse to medium density of pubescence, absent or weak glaucosity, medium grey green
LEAF (LOWER SIDE): sparse to medium density of pubescence, medium grey green
PETIOLE: present

PEDUNCLE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium density of pubescence
FLOWERING: almost continuous, commencing early to mid-season, lasting long
INFLORESCENCE: spike type, both terminal and axillary positions, erect attitude
FLOWER: completely fused, long, narrow, bilabiate shape, absent or very weak undulation of margin
FLOWER (INNER SIDE): absent or very sparse pubescence, light violet blue (RHS 91B/C)
FLOWER (OUTER SIDE): very sparse to sparse pubescence, light violet blue (RHS 91B/C)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Cats Meow' originated from a hybridization between 'Walker's Low' and an unknown Cat mint variety of the same species. Seeds were collected July 28, 2009 at the Walters Garden, Inc. research greenhouse facility in Zeeland Michigan, USA. Evaluation and selection of seedlings led to the final selection of 'Cats Meow' in September 2012. 'Cats Meow' was selected for its fine textured foliage, long flowering period, flower colour, and compact plant growth habit.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Cats Meow' was conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2014 at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The trial consisted of 18 plants of the candidate variety and 19 plants of the reference variety. There was 1 plant per 16 cm diameter pot placed approximately 45 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety. Colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Cats Meow' with reference variety 'Walker's Low'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Inflorescence length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Cat Mint: 'Cats Meow' (left) with reference variety 'Walker's Low' (right)