Polemonium reptans
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Polemonium quadriflorum
- Polemonium reptans var. reptans
- Polemonium reptans var. villosum
- Phonetic Spelling
- po-leh-MOH-nee-um REP-tanz
- Description
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Jacob's ladder gets its common name from its small leaflets which are arranged in a ladder-like manner along the long, graceful leaves. It does not tolerate the hot, humid conditions of the lower Piedmont and coastal plains, and does appreciate a location with part shade. This self-seeding herbaceous perennial, will also spread by rhizomes.
Its native habitat includes moist, deciduous woods and stream banks. It has a low drought tolerance and will go dormant in drought conditions.
It can be propagated by rootstock division or seed. Divide clumps in early spring or late summer. Seeds can be sown as they ripen or in the early spring.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Shady Garden in Cabarrus County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Polemonium
- Species:
- reptans
- Family:
- Polemoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern America
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bumblebees
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers grow in loose terminal clusters. The calyx is light green.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 7 to 17 oblong leaflets grow similar to the rungs on a ladder. Each leaflet is 1.5" long. The upper leaves typically have 3-5 leaflets. The underside is lighter in color with some fine hair.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Light green with a red tint, sprawling, slender, weak stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
