Polemonium Jacob’s Ladder

Polemonium (Jacob’s Ladder) This charming native has delicate lacy leaves that form low mounds. It was nicknamed Jacob’s Ladder because of the arrangement of their leaves — pairs of opposite leaflets that supposedly resembled the ladder that the biblical patriarch Jacob dreamed stretched up to heaven from earth. Both the foliage and flowers are eye-candy. Foliage can be solid green, variegated or dark purple. Flowers are usually lavender-blue or white. Polemonium prefers sun to part shade (more shade in warmer zones) and ranges in height from 12”-24”. Some of my favorite cultivars are ‘Stairway to Heaven’ (pictured), ‘Bressingham Purple’, ‘Purple Rain’ and ‘Apricot Delight’ (apricot-pink flowers). It is hardy in Zones 3 – 8 and rarely bothered by deer or rabbits. Photo taken in my Maine garden