Polemonium Bressingham Purple
Polemonium caeruleum Alba
Polemonium ‘Lambrook Mauve’
Polemonium Blue Pearl
Alcea (Hollyhock)
Achillea
Agastache
Aquilegia
Astrantia
Buddliea
Buddliea Altternifolia
Canna Lily
Delphinium
Echinacea
Eryngium
Gaillardia
Geranium
Gerbera
Geum
Gypsophila
Helenium
Herbs
Hosta
Iris
Kniphofia
Lantana
Leucanthemum
Lupins
Monarda
Penstemon
Phlox
Polemonium
Rudbeckia
Sidalcea
Tanacetum (Pyrethrum)
Thalictrum
Trollius
Verbena
Veronica
Alton
Aresford
Burley
Ellingham & Ringwood
Emsworth
Hamble
Petersfield
Ringwood
Southsea
Southampton Bedford Place
Winchester High Street
Jacob's Ladder gets its name from the arrangement of its leaves – pairs of opposite leaflets
resembling a ladder.
In early summer, erect stems rise up from the bright green foliage carrying clusters of bell-shaped
flowers.
A cottage-garden favourite, Jacob's Ladder is happiest in partial shade, and looks equally at home in a
wildlife garden setting or in grass. Although it is short-lived, it self seeds freely.
Growth
The plant usually reaches a height from 45 to 60 centimetres (18 to 24 inches), but some occasionally
will be taller than 90 centimetres (35 inches.)
The spread of the plant is also 45 to 60 centimetres.
Habitat
The plant is native to damp grasslands,woodlands,meadows rocky areas in temperate of Europe and
Asia.
Cultivation
The plant normally prefers soil that is rich in moisture and lime and does not require as much sunlight
as other plants. Depending on the conditions, it will need varying amounts of water in the summer. If it
is hot summer, the plant may require extra water. If it is an average summer, it probably won't need
extra water.
Normally hardy, some varieties (e.g. 'Blue Pearl') behave as tender biennials, which means they are
effectively annuals in cooler climates.
Cultivated varieties include 'Blue Pearl' White-flowered ('Album', 'White Pearl') and a variegated ('Snow
and Sapphires') varieties are available.
The plant does not have serious insect or disease problems.
Leaf spotpowdery mildewbe problems, particularly in humid climates.
The foliage may scorch if the plant gets too much sunlight.
The leaflet will brown up if soils are allowed to dry out so keeping an eye on the leaflet tips is a good
way to gauge water levels. The foliage will generally decline and become less attractive as the
summer progresses. It is important to keep an eye out for slugs.
Polemonium (Jacobs Ladder)