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Jacob's Ladder 1 to 5 of 5 total
Jacob's Ladder
Uses:
- Shaded Borders
- Woodland & Cottage Gardens
- Container Gardens
Features:
- Striking Foliage
- Deer & Rabbit Resistant
- Elegant Bell-Shaped Flowers
Sunlight:
- Full Shade to Partial Sun
- Under 5 Hours of Direct Sun
- North Or East Side of Homes
Growing Zones:
- 3-8
- What is My Zone?
Jacob's Ladder is a native woodland plant that grows easily in shady, moist locations. It has distinctive pinnate foliage that resembles a ladder and often comes in variegated patterns. Arching clusters of bell-shaped blooms appear in spring and attract pollinators. This plant has a dense, mounded form that makes an attractive ground cover.
About Jacob's Ladder
Genus
Polemonium
Species
Caeruleum, reptans, pulcherrimum, viscosum, boreale
Family
Polemoniaceae
Common Names:
Greek Valerian, Charity Plant
Native To:
Europe and Asia
Plant Type:
Perennials
Foliage Type:
Deciduous, Herbaceous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flower Color:
Blue, Violet/Purple, White, Pink
Flower Bloom Time:
Late spring to early summer
Growth Habit:
Clumping, Spreading, Upright, Mounded
Attracts:
Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Hoverflies
Tolerates:
Moist Soil, Cold Temperatures, Shade, Drought, Clay or Alkaline Soils
Resists:
Deer, Rabbits, Aphids, Spider Mites, Powdery Mildew, Root Rot
How To Use Jacob's Ladder In The Garden
Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum) is a perennial plant recognized for its unique, ladder-like arrangement of pinnate leaves, each comprising numerous small leaflets. This distinctive foliage forms dense clumps that can reach up to 18-24 inches in height and width. In late spring to early summer, the plant produces loose clusters of cup-shaped, deep blue flowers with contrasting yellow stamens, adding a touch of elegance to shaded garden areas.
Jacob's Ladder is an excellent choice for shaded borders and woodland gardens, where its ladder-shaped foliage can mingle with low ferns or hostas. Use it in dappled borders to break up swaths of broader leaves, letting the pale floral clusters soften the scene. It becomes a cohesive element near partial-shade shrubs or small ornamental trees, offering subtle color at the foot of taller plantings. Consider positioning a few clumps along shaded pathways, where the intricate leaf patterns can be appreciated at close range.
Jacob's Ladder Care
Jacob's Ladder thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens. Plant it in moist, rich, loamy soil with good drainage to prevent root rot. Regular watering is important, especially during the first year, to establish a deep root system. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring promotes healthy growth and abundant flowering.
Minimal pruning is required; however, removing spent blooms can encourage additional flowering. In summer, trim any withered foliage to stimulate fresh growth. When Jacob's Ladder dies back in winter, leave the dead foliage until early spring to protect the crown against cold temperatures. When grown in containers, check that the pot has adequate drainage and consider overwintering in an unheated garage or basement to safeguard the roots from freezing.
Learn More About Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's Ladder Companion Plants
Jacob’s ladder appreciates moist, humus‑rich soil that drains freely yet never becomes bone dry, plus dappled spring sunshine that fades to cool summer shade. Lilac shrubs mesh perfectly because their pastel flowers open at the very moment Jacob’s ladder peaks, attracting the same early pollinators before their leafy canopy casts welcome protection through summer. Hosta’s broad leaves later hide Jacob ladder’s fading stems and maintain a tidy green carpet. Upward‑tilting columbine echoes the airy flower wands in complementary hues for a deeper spring display, and cold‑tolerant pansies slip beneath the foliage as a living mulch, weaving season‑long color without competing for moisture or light.
