Description

Take the time to bend down and look at these flowers – they are beautiful!

Jacob’s ladder gets its common name from its small leaflets which are arranged in a ladder-like manner along the long, graceful leaves. A delicate mound of sprawling stems. Flower stalks are slender and somewhat weak. Light blue to purple, bell-shaped flowers bloom in loose clusters. Special value to native bees.

P. reptans will grow in full sun with consistent moisture, but prefers part shade to full shade. Although technically rhizomatous, plants do not creep but freely self-seeds in optimum growing conditions. Low drought tolerance – though not a true spring ephemeral, Jacob’s ladder will go dormant in drought conditions. If desired, divide clumps in early spring or late summer.

Height: 1-1.5 ft.
Spread: 1-1.5 ft.
Family: Polemoniaceae
Bloom time: April to June
Sun: full sun to part shade
Water: medium
Naturalize
Deer resistant

photo credit: Joshua Mayer