Jacob's Ladder Polemonium reptans
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Jacob's Ladder:
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.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
- 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
