Polemonium brandegeei (Greene)
Jacob's ladder, Sky pilot, Greek valerian
Also known as Polemonium brandegeei subsp. mellitum
- Height × spread
- 0.2m × 0.15m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is an attractive variety with pinnate foliage that stands out on either side of the central stem, giving a distinct 'stepladder' effect. It holds its flowers on upright stalks. These flare out from long slender calyxes, the flowers themselves being yellow and occasionally white, sometimes with apricot tinting. The lips of the flower seem to flare out from the corseted restraint of the calyx. The flower stems are hairy and sticky to the touch. It is said that the plant has a faint but unpleasant smell. It flowers in early summer and is found growing naturally in North America in the Rocky Mountains and enjoys a sunny spot with good drainage. This stands around 20cm (8in) in height with a 15cm (6in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.15m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large, or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in a pot, or planted in the ground.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water after 2 weeks of no rain
Established plants in the ground enjoy dry or well drained soil, but don't survive long periods without water. When there's been no rain for a fortnight, do a deep water. Repeat after 1-2 weeks when the soil has dried out. Check plants in pots more often.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Found in
More Polemonium
Polemonium 'Lambrook Mauve'
Jacob's ladder
Polemonium caeruleum 'Bambino Blue'
Jacob's ladder
Polemonium
Jacob's ladder, Sky pilot, Greek valerian
Polemonium 'Golden Feathers'
Jacob's ladder
Polemonium 'Hannah Billcliffe'
Jacob's ladder
Polemonium 'Heaven Scent'
Jacob's ladder
Polemonium 'Northern Lights'
Jacob's ladder
Polemonium 'Sonia's Bluebell'
Jacob's ladder