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Key characteristics

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

Perennials

Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’

Jacob’s Ladder

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.

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)