Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: Jacob's ladder
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Polemoniaceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: April to June
Bloom Description: Blue
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Deer, Black Walnut
Culture
Best grown in moist, humusy, well-drained soil in part shade. Tolerates full sun in cool summer climates. Although technically rhizomatous, plants do not creep as the common name somewhat erroneously suggests. Freely self-seeds in optimum growing conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Polemonium reptans, commonly called creeping Jacob's ladder, is a Missouri native wildflower that occurs in rich, moist woods and along streams throughout the State except for the far northeastern counties. Typically grows in a mound to 12" (less frequently to 18") tall. Features light blue, bell-shaped flowers (to 3/4" long) in loose, terminal clusters appearing on sprawling, weak stems in mid to late spring. Pinnately compound leaves with oval leaflets are arranged like the rungs of a ladder (hence the common name). Sometimes also commonly called Greek valerian.
Genus name comes from the Greek name polemonion originally applied to a medicinal plant associated with Polemon of Cappadocia.
Specific epithet means creeping.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Best in partially shaded areas of the rock garden, naturalized areas, woodland gardens or native plant gardens.