'Golden Feathers' Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium)
Perennial
- Golden variegated foliage looks appealing from spring to fall.
- Blue-purple flowers attract pollinators to the garden!
- Native perennial that is unbothered by deer.
- Zones 5-9, sun/part sun, 6-8" tall x 12-14" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Jacob's ladder
Zone: 5 - 9
Sun exposure: Full (6+ hrs/day) to part sun (4-6 hrs/day)
Height x width: 6-8” x 12-14”
Flower color: Purple
Foliage color: Variegated green and yellow
Season of Interest: Spring-Summer
Bloom time: Spring
Features: Rain gardens, rabbit resistant, proven winners, low flammability, fragrant, deer resistant, container plants, best for beginners
Uses: Border, shade gardens, cottage gardening, massing, pollinator gardens, containers, woodland, wildflower gardens
How to Grow
Light: Perform well in full sun if given adequate moisture, but prefer part sun in warmer zones.
Water: Will thrive in average to moist conditions, but prefers not to be soggy in winter.
Spacing: 12-14 inches apart
Fertilizing: Fertilizer isn't needed regularly. Light applications of all purpose garden fertilizer in early spring, but be sure not to over fertilize as this can result in weak, unattractive growth.
Winterizing: Do not apply mulch over crowns in winter, as this can cause rot.
Maintenance & pruning: Remove spent foliage in early spring before new growth emerges. Deadheading after bloom may increase the chances of rebloom. Once planted, they are best left alone, as they do not transplant well.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
