Plant Profile

Jacob's Ladder - (Polemonium reptans) gets its common name from its small leaflets which are arranged in a ladder-like manner along the long, graceful leaves. Like many spring blooming natives, the bloom time on Jacob's Ladder is short but sweet.  

Jacob's Ladder will grow in full sun if it has adequate moisture, but it prefers woodlands (almost full shade) and woodland edges (partial shade.) A mature plant will only reach heights of 1' and is deer resistant.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, while  seeds can be sown as they ripen or in the early spring. This plant makes a great ground cover to plug around shady spots of any native garden.