Polemonium boreale

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

Image Credits:

• Image 1 (flowers) Ghislain118 (AD) http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.net, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 2 (form) Meneerke bloem, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 3 (foliage) Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons