creeping Jacob's ladder Interesting Notes

Growing up to 1’ tall, this free-flowering woodland native has delicate light blue flowers topping ladder-like foliage in late spring. Polemonium reptans is a good light-textured groundcover in areas with average to moist soils, thriving in light shade beneath deciduous trees. Blooming in April through to May, the flowers range in color from light purple to light pink and form in delicate clusters atop the fresh green foliage. A natural partner with creeping Phlox and ferns, this is a wonderful and unexpected addition to the spring shade garden.

Polemonium reptans is found in moist, deciduous forests or along streambanks from New York to Minnesota and south to Georgia and Arkansas. It does best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in part to full shade. A sweet spring wildflower, the green foliage persists through the growing season and is an easy to grow groundcover that spreads by shallow rhizome. When placed in a happy location, creeping Jacob’s Ladder self-sows. In periods of drought, plant will go into dormancy.

We find Polemonium reptans to be deer-resistant and enjoy how it provides an early season nectar sources to native pollinators. Visited by a wide assortment of native bees, Andrena polemonii is of note as a specialist bee that only feeds on plants from Polemonium genus. In addition, several moth larvae use the foliage as forage.

Polemonium reptans Growing and Maintenance Tips

Best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in part to full shade.

Good Substitutions

Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'