Geranium_gem's Garden
Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob's ladder)
Genus: Polemonium.
Species: Polemonium caeruleum.
Self-seeded behind the shed 2012. Dug it up August 2012 and is currently in a pot awaiting relocation.
■Position: full sun or partial shade
■Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
■Rate of growth: average
■Flowering period: June
■Hardiness: fully hardy
Jacob's Ladder gets its name from the arrangement of its leaves – pairs of opposite leaflets resembling a ladder. In early summer, erect stems rise up from the bright green foliage carrying clusters of bell-shaped, lavender-blue flowers. A cottage-garden favourite, Jacob's Ladder is happiest in partial shade, and looks equally at home in a wildlife garden setting or in grass. Although it is short-lived, it self seeds freely.
■Garden care: Cut the plant back after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers. In autumn cut the faded flowerheads down to the ground and compost the dead stems.
■Eventual Height: 0.8m
■Eventual Spread: 0.3m
