How to Grow and Care for Jacob's ladders

Jacob's ladder (Polemonium caeruleum) grows in temperate habitats in Europe and has been imported to North America. It takes root in damp soils and rocky areas. Jacob's ladder is used as an ingredient in some dyes and occasionally ends up in potpourri mixes.

Jacob's ladder is named for the arrangement of its delicate leaves into ladder-shaped arrays. However, its real attraction is its delightful summer flowers in deep shades of blue. This native perennial thrives in woodsy areas that receive part shade with rich, well-draining soil. Jacob's ladder or Polemonium reptans makes a great plant for rain gardens, as well.

Beautiful jacob's-ladder is known for its unpleasant odor, similar to that of a skunk. This is a deciduous perennial herb that prefers shady wooded areas. Its common name Beautiful jacob's-ladder originates from the arrangement of its leaves, which is reminiscent of the ladder that the biblical hero Jacob saw in his dream.

Jacob's ladders 'Lambrook Mauve' is a cultivated plant from the phlox family bred for its bluish-mauve flowers. The flowers are what set jacob's ladders 'Lambrook Mauve' apart from other plants in the genus. It also gives the plant its name. The winner of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society for its consistent performance, it’s a favorite in perennial gardens.

Despite being a compact plant, northern jacob's-ladder 'Heavenly Habit' is actually taller than the original Jacob's ladder plant, growing to 30 cm instead of 10 cm tall. The plant's delicate mauve flowers are certainly heavenly and this hardy perennial grows easily and attracts butterflies.