Summary
Blooming in late April, Jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium reptans) is a great plant for massing in the spring woodland garden. It produces loose upright shoots 12-18” tall with small, bell-shaped pale blue blooms borne in branched clusters. These flowers are attractive to early emerging pollinators such as miner bees (Andrena spp.). Spent blossoms transform into seedheads that have an appearance reminiscent of balloons. Plants will self-seed in favorable conditions. The leaves are divided into many small segments, giving plants a strong architectural appearance. Foliage bronzes up in winter. The cultivar ‘Stairway to Heaven’ has variegated leaves.
Jacob’s-ladder thrives in partial shade in moist, well-drained soils. It can tolerate full sun, but suffers in scorching summer conditions. With its eye-catching flowers and foliage, Jacob’s-ladder is a nice complement to neighboring woodland plants such as blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium), and blue-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago caesia). Zones 3-8.
More Details
- Plant Type
perennial - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun-to-partial-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average-to-moist - Flowering Period
early-spring - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
blue - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
green - Other Common Names
Greek valerian, Jacob's ladder - Fruit/Seed Color
green
Additional Information
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Missouri Botanical Garden, Illinois Wildflowers