What's eating my nepeta 'walker's low'?

Nepeta 'Walker's Low' is highly pest-resistant — its aromatic oils repel most insects. The main nuisances are aphids on fresh growth after cutting back, spittlebugs (froghoppers) in early summer, and cats rolling on plants and crushing stems. Rabbits and deer generally leave it alone.

Frothy white 'cuckoo-spit' blobs on stems in late spring and early summer; feeding nymphs inside rarely cause serious harm. Blast off the spittle and nymphs with a jet of water; no chemical treatment needed for healthy plants.

Soft colonies on soft new shoots after midsummer trim; can cause tip distortion and honeydew deposit. Cut plants back after first flowering flush to remove infested tips; encourage natural predators; apply insecticidal soap if needed.

Crushed and flattened stems, broken shoots from cats rolling and rubbing on the aromatic foliage. Place short bamboo canes or prickly prunings around the plant base; use cat-deterrent mats in borders.