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
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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
H7Botanical 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.