Melinda Myers

Jacob's Ladder

Botanical Name

Polemonium caeruleum

Hardiness

Zones 3 to 7

Height

18 to 24 inches

Width

18 to 24 inches

Flowers

Late spring to early summer: blue, pink, white

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Jacob's ladder prefers soil with consistent moisture, mulch soil with shredded leaves, pine needles or other organic matter
• Though tolerant of full sun, Jacob's ladder prefers partial shade, especially in the afternoon
• Plants will decline in high heat and humidity
• Cut plants back to basal foliage after bloom to tidy appearance, promote reblooming and to prevent unwanted reseeding
• Plants rarely need division, for propagation divide in late summer
• Plants may need staking or other support

Problems

Foliage scorch with too much sun, brown foliage in dry soil

Varieties

• Apricot Delight - blue-purple flowers with orange centers
• Album - white flowers
• Brise d'Anjou - foliage sports creamy white margins