Practical
Plants

Polemonium caeruleum

Jacob's Ladder

a perennial member of the Polemonium genus in the family Polemoniaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.4 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The herb is astringent and diaphoretic[10][11]. It was formerly used internally in the treatment of a wide range of conditions ranging from headaches to fevers and epilepsy[9]. The plant is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[9].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diaphoretic

Environment

Range
Northern and central Europe, including Britain, to Siberia and the Caucasus.
Habitat
Margins of woods and swamps, by streams, especially on turf and usually in limestone hills[10][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[3]. Another report says that the seed is best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[6]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in early spring or early autumn[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very easily grown plant, it prefers a moist well-drained fertile soil in sun or semi-shade[1][2][7]. Dislikes damp or heavy soils[2], though it tolerates alkaline conditions[9]. Hardy to at least -20°c[5]. A polymorphic species, there are several sub-species[5] and many named forms[9]. Plants are fairly short-lived in cultivation unless they are divided regularly and moved to fresh soil[8]. They can self-sow to the point of nuisance, however[5][7] and will also survive when growing in lush grass[5]. Cats are strongly attracted by the smell of this plant and will frequently roll on it and injure it[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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