Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium spp.)


Jacob's Ladder Plant Features

Add drama and color to shady borders with Jacob's ladder. This pretty perennial develops gorgeous fern-like green foliage that's delicately edged with white. From early spring through summer, Jacob's ladder produces loose clusters of trumpet-like sky-blue blooms. Over time, Jacob's ladder forms tight clumps that grow 12 to 18 inches tall. Use Jacob's ladder in shady beds or containers. The flower stalks also work well in fresh cut arrangements. Jacob's ladder is also attractive to butterflies and deer resistant. Hardy from zones 4-9

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Jacob's Ladder Growing Instructions

Plant Jacob's ladder in a shady or partially shady location in cool, slightly moist soil. The plant will tolerate a bit more sun in the northern part of its range where summers are cooler. Remove the flower heads as they fade to keep the plant looking good and to possibly encourage more bloom. Occasionally Jacob's ladder will require staking to prevent it from toppling in windy locations. Jacob's ladder will reseed now and then, but is not considered invasive.

Jacob's ladder is not recommended for human or animal consumption.
  • Water

    Medium water needs

  • Light

    Outside: Part sun

    Outside: Shade

  • Colors

    Blue

  • Special Features

    Attracts butterflies

    Deer/rabbit resistant

    Fragrant flowers/foliage


Complement your Jacob's Ladder

Astilbe
Astilbe will provide an bold dash of color to a bed of Jacob's Ladder.

Bleeding Heart
Pink-flowering Bleeding Heart and Jacob's Ladder are a lovely pair for shady spots.

Hosta
Medium height Hosta varieties blend well with Jacob's Ladder.


Our favorite varieties

Heavenly Habit Jacob's Ladder

Heavenly Habit Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium boreale 'Heavenly Habit'

A delight in the garden, Heavenly Habit shows off fragrant violet-blue flowers in early summer. It grows 24 inches tall and 16 inches wide. Zones 3-7

Touch of Class Jacob's Ladder

Touch of Class Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium reptans 'Touch of Class'

Touch of Class is a fun, and easy-to-grow shade perennial that features mounds of variegated foliage and silvery-blue flowers in spring. It grows 15 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Zones 3-7