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Northwest Blooms · Perennials

Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’

Jacob’s Ladder

Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’
Family
Polemoniaceae
Height
18-24 inches
Width
18-24 inches
Flower color
Lavender-blue
Foliage color
Bronze-purple in spring, maturing to green
Bloom time
Late spring to early summer
Light
Partial shade to full sun
Water
Moderate
Maintenance
Low
Wildlife
Bees, butterflies

About this plant

Polemonium 'Heaven Scent', commonly known as Jacob's Ladder, is a charming perennial celebrated for its fragrant lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers and attractive foliage. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the flowers attract bees and butterflies, making it ideal for pollinator-friendly gardens. The foliage emerges in early spring as bronze-purple, maturing to lush green, with pinnately compound leaves resembling a ladder. Thriving in partial shade but tolerating full sun in cooler climates, 'Heaven Scent' is perfect for garden borders, woodland areas, and shaded spots. It pairs well with hostas, ferns, and astilbes, and can also be grown in containers, adding charm to patios and shaded areas.

Works well in

Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Containers

Companion plants

Columbines · Lungworts · Daylilies · Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.