Jacob's ladder

Jacob's ladder is a favorite native plant for shady spots. It has long handsome leaves, sometimes variegated, with a ladder-like arrangement of leaflets. Heavy clusters of clear lavender blue, pink, yellow, or white flowers with conspicuous stamens nod atop slender stems. Jacob's ladder is a winner in sunny or lightly shaded beds and borders as well as in native plant gardens. Well-drained soil is a must.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

4-9

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

1-3 feet tall, depending on variety

Plant Width:

6 inches-2 feet wide, depending on variety

Flower Color:

White, pink, blue, or yellow flowers, depending on variety; variegated leaves, depending on variety

Bloom Time:

Blooms spring and early summer, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Cut Flowers,Drought Tolerant,Deer Resistant

Top Varieties

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Brize D'Anjou Jacob's ladder

(Polemonium caeruleum 'Brize D'Anjou') is not as floriferous as many others, but its leaves are dramatically rimmed with creamy white. It grows 2 feet tall. Zones 4-9
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Bresssingham Purple Jacob's ladder

(Polemonium caeruleum 'Bresssingham Purple') bears large light purple flowers. It grows 2 feet tall. Zones 4-9
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Stairway to Heaven Jacob's ladder

(Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven') bears pink-and-white-edged leaves and lavender-blue flowers in early summer. It grows 2 feet tall. Zones 3-7
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Garden Plans

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Beautiful Bird Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Coralbells

The dainty spires of red or pink coral bells are fine companions for Jacob's ladder in light shade.

Phlox

In light shade creeping phlox has flattish flowers in pinks, blues, and white that mix well with those of blue Jacob's ladder.

Candytuft

The dark leaves and dramatic white flower heads of perennial candytuft provide a strong foil for Jacob's ladder in sun.

Propagation

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Seed
Division