Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium reptans

Jacob's Ladder is a perennial for edging, mid-border, suited to shade and partial shade and clay or loam, flowering Apr, May, Jun.

Where to use it in a border

At around 35 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 35 cm of room to spread, roughly 3 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 8a, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, pollinator-friendly plants, pet-safe plants.

Border Builder uses Jacob's Ladder's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Anise/Blue Sagefor height behind it
• Atamasco Rain Lilyto edge in front
• Black Cohoshfor height behind it
• Blackthornfor height behind it
• Blue Mistflowerto edge in front
• Blue Wood Asterto edge in front

Garden styles

Native Wildlife garden Woodland