Native Plant Spotlight: Jacob’s Ladder

Polemonium reptans

Jacob’s Ladder is a great addition to your shade and deer proof garden. Most pests don’t bother this plant. It is a late spring time bloomer and does well in part shade to full shade. The blue flowers keep well as a cut flower, bringing a hint of your garden indoors.

This plant is native to the Northeast woodlands and can be planted in average to moist soil. As with all plantings, we recommend that you put some organic matter into the planting hole. The variety that tolerates our local heat and humidity the most is ‘Stairway to Heaven’. This variety is variegated adding more interest to the shade border. Jacob’s ladder grows to about a foot tall and wide and will reseed itself.

Jacob’s Ladder will grow well in a pot making it a great addition to container gardens and a useful plant for those gardening on their balconies!