Jacob's ladder (Polemonium) was given its common name because the arrangement of its leaves is somewhat ladder-like. However, it's Jacob's ladders' flowers that are the real attraction. Polemonium caeruleum and its cultivars send up clusters of flowers atop long stems in late spring to early summer. The bright blue varieties are among the most popular, blooming in clear tones of blue and bluish-purple, offset by yellow centers.
Jacob's ladder is a hardy perennial plant. It is upright and clump-forming, but it will spread by seed. Most Jacob's ladder plants have bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple and lavender, but there are also white, pink, and yellow varieties available. The compound leaves are composed of rows of narrow, pinnate leaflets. The branches grow from a basal rosette and arch and sway as they grow tall.
I read further that the plant is native to Eastern North American and hardy to Zone 3. It also prefers a shady area, so it will do well in my flower bed. It's height ranges from 24-36 inches and I think it's reached the minimum height already. I went out and took a photo of the flowers this morning.
Aren't they pretty? They make me smile.
Have a great day everyone!