Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans)
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Deciduous Perennial in the Polemoniaceae Family | |||||||||||
Buy Jacob's Ladder | |||||||||||
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Available May 9
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Woodland wildflower with attractive ferny leaves and clusters of small pale blue bell-shaped flowers. |
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About Jacob's LaddersPolemonium, commonly known as Jacob's Ladder or Greek Valerian, is a genus of showy, herbaceous perennials native to the Northern Hemisphere. These plants are prized for their delicate, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in a variety of colors, as well as their attractive, fern-like foliage. The genus Polemonium includes around 25 species, with the most commonly cultivated being Polemonium caeruleum, Polemonium reptans, and Polemonium mellitum. These plants typically grow to heights of 12-24 inches, with a spreading, clumping habit that makes them well-suited for borders, rock gardens, and cottage-style plantings. The defining feature of Polemonium is its distinctive, ladder-like leaves, which are composed of numerous, pinnately-arranged leaflets that resemble the rungs of a ladder. This unique foliage provides a lush, textural contrast to the plant's delicate, bell-shaped flowers, which can range in color from deep blue and purple to pink, white, and yellow. Polemonium plants typically bloom in late spring to early summer, with each flower cluster producing up to 20 individual blossoms. These flowers are known for their sweet, honey-like fragrance, which attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. In addition to their ornamental value, some species of Polemonium have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory issues and digestive problems. Adaptable to a range of growing conditions, Polemonium thrives in part sun to full shade and moist, well-drained soils. These plants are relatively low-maintenance, making them a popular choice for both experienced and novice gardeners alike. Whether grown for their unique, ladder-like foliage, their delicate, fragrant flowers, or their historical and medicinal uses, Polemonium plants are a beloved and versatile addition to any garden. |
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Plant Data | |||||||||||
Mature Size | 8 - 12 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide. | ||||||||||
Sun Exposure | Partial Sun - Full Shade | ||||||||||
Moisture Tolerance | Medium | ||||||||||
Zones | 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F) | ||||||||||
Tags | Deciduous, Full Shade, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Non-Allergenic, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant | ||||||||||
Bloom Period | May - June | ||||||||||
Flower Color | Blue | ||||||||||
Foliage Color |
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More Info from Experts |
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Photos of This with...Pink Chablis Deadnettle |
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Pricing and Availability HistoryClick a label to toggle visibility for that size
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We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
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Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!