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Polemonium caeruleum - L.

Common Name Jacob's Ladder, Charity
Family Polemoniaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Margins of woods and swamps, by streams, especially on turf and usually in limestone hills[4, 17].
Range Northern and central Europe, including Britain, to Siberia and the Caucasus.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Polemonium caeruleum Jacob


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polemonium_caeruleum_nf.jpg
Polemonium caeruleum Jacob

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polemonium caeruleum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Diaphoretic  Epilepsy

The herb is astringent and diaphoretic[4, 61]. It was formerly used internally in the treatment of a wide range of conditions ranging from headaches to fevers and epilepsy[238]. The plant is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, it prefers a moist well-drained fertile soil in sun or semi-shade[1, 111, 200]. Dislikes damp or heavy soils[111], though it tolerates alkaline conditions[238]. Hardy to at least -20°c[187]. A polymorphic species, there are several sub-species[187] and many named forms[238]. Plants are fairly short-lived in cultivation unless they are divided regularly and moved to fresh soil[233]. They can self-sow to the point of nuisance, however[187, 200] and will also survive when growing in lush grass[187]. Cats are strongly attracted by the smell of this plant and will frequently roll on it and injure it[4].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[14]. Another report says that the seed is best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[188]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in early spring or early autumn[111]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Polemonium reptansAbcess Root, Greek valerianPerennial0.3 4-8  LMSNM021

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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