Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Jacob's ladder, Polemonium caeruleum, is a lovely clump-forming perennial, requiring little maintenance. It performs best in borders with moist but well-drained soil. In early summer it produces bell-shaped flowers, which can be prolonged by regular deadheading. Plants can be propagated by sowing seed in autumn or spring, or by dividing plants in spring.
Polemonium yezoense 'Purple Rain' is a purple-flowered Jacob's ladder. Mounds of black-purple ferny foliage fade to green, which contrast with purple-blue phlox-like flowers. 'Purple Rain' self-seeds readily and will naturalise beautifully in borders. It works well as a cut flower.
