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Alpine RockeryHerbaceous Perennial

Polemonium viscosum

sticky Jacob's ladder

A compact herbaceous perennial to 30cm tall with sticky, pinnate leaves up to 15cm long made up of many spoon-shaped leaflets and blue-purple flowers borne in late spring and early summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Purple Green
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Polemoniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Polemonium can be annuals or herbaceous perennials or upright or spreading habit, with pinnate leaves and usually clustered, tubular, bell, or funnel-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Canada to USA

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Rock garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be affected by powdery mildews

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