• Close-up of delicate lavender-blue flowers of Polemonium pulcherrima (Showy Jacob’s Ladder), each bloom with five petals and a soft yellow center. Fine white-tipped stamens arch outward from the blossoms, with faint purple veining adding texture to the petals.
  • A full Polemonium pulcherrima (Showy Jacob's Ladder) plant growing in the wild, displaying multiple slender stems topped with clusters of pale purple to sky-blue flowers. Fern-like green leaves form a tidy mound at the plant's base.
  • A vibrant cluster of Polemonium pulcherrima (Showy Jacob's Ladder) blooming in a garden, with numerous small violet-purple flowers creating a dense carpet of color. The dainty blooms are surrounded by green foliage and scattered sunlight.
  • Mature Polemonium pulcherrima (Showy Jacob's Ladder) sprawling over rocky, gravelly ground. The bushy plant is covered in dense sprays of pale purple-blue flowers, showcasing its natural growth habit in a dry, open setting.
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Wild About Flowers

Polemonium pulcherrima - Showy Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium pulcherrima - Showy Jacob's Ladder

$5.50 CAD
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Showy Jacob's Ladder features fern-like, laddered foliage that adds a soft texture to the landscape, while its long spring bloom period fills gardens and natural spaces with clusters of delicate, bell-shaped blue flowers. These blooms have a mildly sweet fragrance, particularly in humid or moist conditions. Attracting native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, its profuse flowering lasts for an extended period and may continue sporadically throughout the growing season. With its adaptability, extended floral display, and high pollinator value, it is a reliable and rewarding addition to almost any planting.

A versatile and resilient perennial, Showy Jacob's Ladder thrives in a wide range of conditions, from full sun to shade and moist to dry soils. This hardy wildflower is low-maintenance and highly adaptable, bringing beauty and biodiversity to self-sustaining plantings in a variety of landscapes. Moderately grazing resistant, young shoots may be browsed by deer and other grazers, but mature plants are typically left undisturbed.

Bloom Times & Plant Sizes

Important Information - The "Bloom Period" is an indicator of the time period within which the wildflowers will bloom and does not describe the time period that a single plant will bloom.  The "Sizes" listed are intended to be a general guideline to consult during plant selection. - Plant growth and bloom times will vary depending on geographical location & individual site conditions.

Edible & Medicinal Info Disclaimer

The Edible & Medicinal information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be acted on without thorough research and professional guidance. We are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of or misidentification of plants.

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Plant Specifics

Seeds Per Pack

Seeds Per Package: 50

Light Conditions

  • Sun
  • Part Shade

Soil Conditions

  • Moist
  • Rich
  • Loam
  • Well Drained
  • Sandy
  • Gravelly
  • Dry

Height

  • Under 6"
  • Under 12"
  • 24" - 36"

Width

  • Under 6"
  • Under 12"
  • 12" - 24"

Bloom Colour

  • Blue
  • Lavender Blue

Month of Bloom

  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August

Vigorousness

  • Moderate
  • Fast

Deer Resistance

  • Moderate

Features

  • Butterflies
  • Bees
  • Fragrant
  • Long Bloom Time
  • Used as Groundcover
  • Urban Spaces
  • Rural Spaces
  • Medicinal Properties
  • Good in Containers

Chinook Exposure

  • Fully Exposed

Distribution Info

Native to western North America, Showy Jacob's Ladder is found from BC to MB, as well as YT and NT, extending into Alaska and the western U.S.. It typically inhabits stony soils on outcrops, grasslands, meadows, forest clearings, and talus slopes, ranging from valley floors to sub-alpine regions.

Traditional Edible & Medicinal Info

Indigenous groups have used Polemonium pulcherrima for medicinal purposes, particularly as an infusion for respiratory issues and mild inflammation.