Jacob's ladder
Also known as: American great valerian; charity; Greek valerian; ladder to heaven; make-bate
P. caeruleum is an erect perennial to 90cm tall, with ladder-like, pinnate leaves and stiff stems bearing sprays of blue flowers 2.5cm wide with prominent yellow stamens in early summer; often seeds about rather freely
Scientific classification
- Species
- Jacob's ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)
- Genus
- Polemonium
- Family
- Polemoniaceae
- Information to be completed
- Toxicity
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Plant type
- 0.5-1 metres
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Bushy
- Habit
- Spring · Summer
- Season of interest
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- 15 – 25 °C
- Ideal temperature
Jacob's ladder pictures
Distribution of Jacob's ladder
Distribution map
Northern Temperate
Information to be completed
Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Information to be completed
Quick identification of Jacob's ladder
Information to be completed
Jacob's ladder care guide
- Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
- Watering
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- 15 – 25 °C
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Fertilizing
FertilizingBalanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer
Pruning
PruningNone required except cutting back foliage to ground level at the end of the season
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers, in a cold frame in autumn or spring, or divide in spring
Growing
GrowingGrow in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
Powdery mildews can sometimes be a problem
Pests
Usually trouble free
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