Polemonium Plants (Jacob’s Ladder)

Shop Polemonium plants, commonly known as Jacob’s ladder, for delicate flowers and beautifully divided foliage. Choose from classic blue-flowered forms, the purple-tinted leaves of Bressingham Purple and the golden variegation of ‘Golden Feathers’. These hardy perennials bring a relaxed feel to cottage borders, lightly shaded planting and mixed containers.
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Choosing your Jacob’s ladder plants

Each Polemonium in our collection offers a different combination of foliage, flowers and height. Polemonium caeruleum brings an upright display of blue flowers to mixed borders. Bressingham Purple adds darker foliage tones, particularly in spring and autumn, while ‘Golden Feathers’ introduces yellow-edged leaves to the front of a planting scheme. For a lower-growing mound of green foliage with lilac-blue flowers, choose ‘Hurricane Ridge’.

Try repeating one variety through a border for a coordinated display, or combine contrasting foliage colours in small groups.

Choosing your Jacob’s ladder plantsWhere to plant Polemonium

Polemonium generally grows well in sun or partial shade, in fertile soil that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged. A position with some afternoon shade is useful in warmer gardens, particularly for variegated varieties.

Combine with heucheras, hardy geraniums or ferns suited to the same conditions, allowing enough space for each plant to develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polemonium the same as Jacob’s ladder? +

Yes. Jacob’s ladder is the common name for Polemonium, referring to the paired leaflets arranged along each leaf’s central stalk.

Does Polemonium come back each year? +

The Polemonium plants in this collection are perennials. Their growth dies back for winter, with new shoots appearing in spring.

Can I grow Polemonium in a pot? +

Yes. Compact varieties such as ‘Golden Feathers’ and ‘Hurricane Ridge’ are useful container choices. Use a pot with drainage holes and water regularly so the compost does not dry out completely.

Which Polemonium should I choose for foliage colour? +

Choose Bressingham Purple for seasonal purple tones or ‘Golden Feathers’ for green leaves edged in golden yellow.