Wildflowers
Polemonium caeruleum -
Jacob's ladder
A cottage-garden favourite with lovely blue flowers and yellow stamens. Both the flowers and the ferny foliage are good for cutting. A short-lived perennial, it will flower in the first year if sown early. Grows best in partial shade. Excellent for a wildlife garden.
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Position
- Full Sun to Partial Sun
- Height
- 90cm
- Spread
- 50cm
Growing calendar
Sowing & growing
Sow under glass Feb-Apr or Sep-Nov, in moist seed compost. Lightly cover seed with fine layer of compost and keep at 15-18°C (slightly lower at night). Germination can fail if temperature is too high. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to individual pots. Acclimatise outdoors before planting out when risk of frost has passed. Overwinter autumn sowings until the following year.
Aftercare
Cut plant back to base in Autumn to avoid wind rock. Deadhead regularly to avoid self-seeding.
Gallery
Ref. SEP015