Creeping Jacob’s Ladder

Botanical Name: Polemonium reptans

Height: 30 – 40 cm

Bloom Time: Spring

Growing Conditions: Deciduous woodland. Light, dappled shade. Well-drained soil, with lots of organic matter.

Wildlife Benefits: “The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees (Augochlorella spp., Lasioglossum spp.), and Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.). A species from this last group, Andrena polemonii, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Polemonium spp. (Jacob’s Ladder, Greek Valerian). The flowers are also visited by Bombylius major (Giant Bee Fly), butterflies, skippers, and moths, which seek nectar. The larvae of two moths, Coleophora polemoniella and Scrobipalpula polemoniella, mine the leaflets.’ Illinois Wildflowers

Remarks:

Similar Plants: Showy Jacob’s Ladder, Boreal Jacob’s Ladder, van Brunt’s Jacob’s Ladder

Availability.

More plants for shade.