The Jacob's ladder has a lot to offer visually and is a particularly beautiful eye-catcher in the home garden.
Jacob's ladder is a perennial that belongs to the early summer bloomers and is called Polemonium caeruleum in Latin. It also grows wild within Central Europe and is particularly found in areas where the soil is moist and fresh. It therefore prefers to settle in meadows, along streams and floodplains. Within Germany, however, they are rarely found, which is why they are classified as endangered. It can reach a height of up to 80 centimeters and shows its blue robe from the end of May into July.
Short profile of Jacob's ladder
| Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum) | |
|---|---|
| Family: | Marshweed (Polemoniaceae) |
| other names: | Ladder to Heaven, Blue Jacob's Ladder, Blue Marshweed, Greek Valerian |
| Growth: | 60 to 80 centimeters |
| Growth form: | Upright and ladder-like in relation to her buds |
| Location: | Penumbra |
| Flowering: | June to July |
| Floor: | fresh to moist, slightly alkaline to slightly acidic, sandy to loamy |
| Special Features: | The Jacob's ladder is one of the endangered species and is considered almost extinct in Germany. |
| Hiberation: | The plants are hardy and do not require special overwintering. |
The Different Types of Jacob's Ladders
Over time, different types of Jacob's ladder have emerged. The following are the most popular:
- Polemonium reptans: It is also known as the creeping Jacob's ladder and prefers to settle in North America. As the name suggests, it crawls along the ground and reaches a height of up to 40 centimetres. It can be used very well as a ground cover.
- Polemonium pauciflorum: The yellow Jacob's Ladder is relatively rare on the market. Their homeland is in Mexico and the USA, but you can still find themagain and again in this country. It flowers from May to July and is very lush. Particularly beautiful: the yellow cups have red tips.
- Polemonium 'Purple Rain': This plant is particularly popular because it has extremely beautiful leaves. It flowers from June to July, where it produces violet flowers. She is originally from Asia.
- Polemonium Hybrid 'Lambrook Mauve': The Pink Jacob's Ladder is a breed first bred in the UK. If treated properly, it blooms twice a year. Undesirable spread is avoided thanks to sterile seeds.
- Polemonium caeruleum 'Album': It has small white calyxes that continue in stalks. It is also known as the white Jacob's ladder and attracts many insects in the garden.
- Polemonium acutiflorum: This wild species is also referred to as whippet. It comes from Scandinavia. Its roots can be traced back to the Ice Age, when it is said to have spread via river courses. The umbel-like flowers are blue and bloom between July and August.
The right place for the ladder to heaven
The perennial is best planted in the garden, where it can develop its full potential in partial shade. It also tolerates a little sun.
It is ideally planted in so-called cottage or farm gardens, as it appreciates a natural environment. Due to its growth, it is less suitable for so-called designer gardens.
Akelai, Globeflowers, Meadow Cranesbill or Primroses can be used very well as neighbors. Clove root and purple loosestrife are also suitable for the immediate vicinity. With such an arrangement, you not only ensure that the needs of Jacob's ladder are served, but also those of the other plants.
In the right place, Jacob's Ladder attracts many insects during its heyday. This also includes butterflies cavorting on the sea of flowers.
The ideal floor for Jacob's Ladder
In the wild, the Jacob's ladder settles mainly in soils that are very nutrient-rich. It prefers soil that is slightly alkaline and will tolerate slightly acidic soil.
The texture is ideal when the soil is sandy to loamy. For this purpose, it should always be fresh to moist.
Water and fertilize the ladder to heaven properly
Since the Jacob's ladder is a relatively robust plant that forgives a lot, it is veryeasy to care for. Only in summer, when it is very warm, does it require a little more water. So the soil should always be kept moist, but not submerged. Because she doesn't like wet feet.
The plant can be fertilized with all kinds of fertilizers. This also includes compost or a special fertilizer that has organic-mineral properties. In any case, the fertilizer should contain nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. However, it should only be fertilized just before its flowering period, if at all.
Does Jacob's Ladder have to be cut?
The heyday of the Jacob's ladder is very short and only lasts from the end of May to July. If you want a second bloom in September, you can cut the plant back completely. The second bloom is a little sparser, but at the same time encourages the process of spreading through the garden again.
If spreading is undesirable, it is advisable to cut off the inflorescences immediately after flowering.
Another alternative is the so-called maintenance pruning. With this a better winter hardiness is achieved. It will not take place until the following spring. In addition, this type of pruning has the advantage that the plant does not look so unsightly in winter.
How to increase Jacob's ladder?
Since the plant scatters enough seeds in its immediate vicinity during its flowering period, direct propagation is not necessary.
On the other hand, it is advisable to dig them up and divide them about every two to three years. With the individual parts, the flowering splendor of the perennial can be created not only in other places. It also contributes to the vitality of the plant.
Sowing in the garden
If you don't have a Jacob's ladder in your garden yet, it's still interesting to know how to sow seeds. Most work here with normal seeds. Pay attention to the following when sowing:
- The seeds are best planted in boxes just before they reach full maturity.
- Store the box in a sheltered place and keep it moist.
- The following spring, germination occurs if the seeds receive a cold stimulus.
- Alternatively, you can scatter the seeds in the bed and transplant them next year as soon as the seedlings appear.
How is Jacob's Ladder winterized?
No special overwintering measures are required. The plant is very hardy and withstands frost without any problems. For springshe wakes up from her slumber and soon starts to germinate again.
Diseases and Pests
In terms of disease, the Jacob's Ladder is extremely resilient, which is why it rarely gets sick. From time to time, however, one finds specimens that contract powdery mildew. This can be combated with appropriate means from specialist shops. Otherwise, simply cut out the affected parts of the plant.
One example of damage that you see again and again is a yellow coloring of the leaves. This is a common sign that the soil is too acidic. This occurs particularly often at the edges of the pond, where various iris plants can also be found, for example. If this happens, the iris plant should be transplanted, because it does not represent optimal company for Jacob's ladder.
Fortunately, the plant rarely attracts pests. In return, snails like to feast on it, not only nibbling on the flowers and stems, but also troubling the roots. Every now and then you can also find traces of voles, which like to eat the plant.