Plant Sale 2025 — Polemonium reptans

Polemonium reptans (Jacob’s Ladder) has lovely leaves that are alternate and divided into leaflets. is a ½ to 1½ feet tall perennial wildflower with loose clusters of blue bell-like flowers that have protruding stamens. This plant is visited by many types of bees (including a specialist bee, Andrena polemonii), butterflies, skippers and moths, and Hummingbirds had been known to enjoy the beautiful flowers. Polemonium reptans likes damp areas including roadside ditches, stream banks, wetlands and damp woods with a fair amount of dappled shade located near or under deciduous trees, and benefits from lots of decaying organic matter. You can find it at Ivy Creek Natural Area in the gardens in front of the education building.

Photo: E.M. Truax