Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Heaven Scent Jacob's Ladder: Sky Blue Sprays for Part Shade
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Heaven Scent Jacob's ladder gets its common name from the leaves, which are made of many small leaflets set in pairs like the rungs of a ladder. In spring and early summer the fresh green foliage is flushed with deep purple, especially on new growth and stems. In May, airy sprays of small, cup-shaped, sky blue flowers float above it, carrying a soft, sweet scent that is often compared to grape.
It prefers afternoon shade and steady moisture, so it belongs in a shady border with hostas and ferns rather than out with the lavender.
Heaven Scent at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Polemonium 'Heaven Scent' |
| Flowers | Sky blue with pale centers, softly scented |
| Foliage | Fern-like, green with deep purple tints in spring |
| Size | About 12 inches in leaf, 18 to 24 inches in bloom, 15 to 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-May, peaks late May |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 7 |
| Light | Part shade; more sun with steady moisture |
| Deer | Generally left alone |
A blue note for the shady side
Lavender gives the sunny beds their purple-blue color in June and July. Heaven Scent brings a similar sky blue to the shady side of the property in May, weeks earlier. It is a fine companion for hostas, whose broad leaves are just unfurling when the Jacob's ladder blooms, and its ferny texture makes a nice contrast with them all summer. Use it at the front to middle of a partly shaded border, along a woodland path or in a cottage garden bed that gets afternoon shade. Sketch the shade bed in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Light: part shade is easiest. It handles more sun than most Jacob's ladders, but only if the soil stays moist.
- Soil: average to fertile, rich in organic matter, and well drained in winter.
- Water: steady moisture. In hot, dry spells the foliage can brown.
- After bloom: shear the spent flower stems. The foliage mound stays neat and fewer seedlings appear.
- Airflow: crowded plants in muggy weather can get powdery mildew or leaf spots.
Through the seasons
The purple flush is strongest in spring and early summer, so the plant looks its most colorful just as it blooms. By midsummer the leaves settle into fresh green. It prefers cool summers, which suits Michigan well. It is very hardy here; plant it where water drains away in winter to prevent crown rot, and cut back old foliage in late fall or early spring.
Two tray sizes
Heaven Scent is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and a 20-cell plug tray. The 72-cell tray suits larger shade plantings; the 20-cell tray's bigger cells give each plant a stronger start. See the product pages for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can it grow with my lavender?
Not well. It wants afternoon shade and moist, rich soil, while lavender wants full sun and lean, dry ground.
Is the scent strong?
It is soft and sweet, best enjoyed up close, so plant it near a path or seating area.
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