Polemonium caeruleum

'Jacob's Ladder' 

[Ex. Novohradské hory 650 m., Czech Republic]

Polemoniaceae: an attractive, upright perennial to 1m. Found in grassy places and scree slopes in limestone areas. The flowers are from 2-3cm across, blue with 5 petal-like corolla lobes, in spikes from June-July. The leaves are alternate and pinnate with 6-12 pairs of leaflets. Locally native in Northern England, and naturalised elsewhere. Native to Northern and central Europe, including Britain, to Siberia and the Caucasus.

USES:

The herb has astringent and diaphoretic properties. It was formerly used internally in the treatment of a wide range of conditions ranging from headaches to fevers and epilepsy.

Very easily grown plant, preferring a moist well-drained fertile soil in sun or semi-shade, but dislikes damp or heavy soils. Cats are strongly attracted by the smell of this plant and will frequently roll around on it.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in autumn or spring in a cold frame autumn or cool greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. 

HARVESTED: 2023*

 
APPROX. 100 SEEDS