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Polemonium boreale | Northern Jacob's Ladder

Northern Jacob's Ladder is an extremely hardy early summer bloomer for the rock garden or trough. The low mound of wooly, compound leaves is smothered in sometimes pungent, always gorgeous sky blue flowers with yellow centers. Grow it in average to well-drained soil in full sun or part shade.

Cut foliage and flowers back after the first bloom flush to promote healthy growth and quick rebloom.

Southern gardeners: this plant is best avoided as it is intolerant of summer heat and humidity.

Zones: 2 to 7
Family: Polemoniaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 6 to 12 in.
Spread: 6 to 12 in.
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Conditions: Alpine, rock garden
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Color: Blue
Native Range: Alaska, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Greenland

Special Characteristics

Deer-resistant
Salt tolerant
Snail Resistant

image credits

Image 1 (flowers) Ghislain118 (AD) http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.net, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 2 (form) Meneerke bloem, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 3 (foliage) Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons