Polemonium reptans is a delicate woodland perennial known for its airy clusters of soft blue bell shaped flowers and finely divided fern like foliage. Commonly called Jacob’s Ladder, its gracefully arching stems form loose mounds and bloom in early spring, creating a gentle layered texture in shade gardens. Plants may gently reseed in favorable conditions forming informal colonies over time.
Height & Spread: 12 - 18 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: April to May
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Rich, moist, well drained woodland soils
Watering Needs: Moderate; does best with consistent moisture
Deer Resistance: Somewhat deer resistant
Native Status
This species is native to eastern and central North America, where it naturally occurs in deciduous woodlands and shaded floodplains.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Attracts early spring butterflies such as Spring Azure and Clouded Sulphur with its soft tubular blooms.
Bees
- Visited by a wide variety of native bees including Mason Bees and Small Carpenter Bees which pollinate the bell shaped flowers in spring.
Moths
- Serves as a nectar source for nocturnal moths such as the Virginia Ctenucha and other early season fliers.
Birds
- Provides foraging habitat for small insectivorous songbirds like warblers during spring migration.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 18 in apart to allow mounding growth and encourage gentle self seeding where desired.
Landscape Placement:
- Effective in shaded woodland gardens, under deciduous trees, or along the shaded edges of paths and water features.
Companion Plants
- Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge) - A soft textured native sedge that forms a low carpet beneath Polemonium’s airy stems.
- Dicentra eximia (Fringed Bleeding Heart) - Adds pink spring blooms and finely dissected foliage that mirrors Polemonium’s leaf form.
- Arisaema triphyllum (Jack in the Pulpit) - Offers upright architectural presence with unique spring flowers in shaded settings.
- Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) - Forms a bold ground hugging base layer with heart shaped leaves beneath Polemonium’s mounds.
- Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) - Provides lavender blue spring flowers and low growing form that complements Jacob’s Ladder.