Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Description:

This distinctive variety forms a ferny mound of variegated green foliage that is edged in white, and is loosely topped with sky blue flowers in late spring; looks great in the middle to front of the border and easily mixes with other plants

Ornamental Features

Touch Of Class Jacob's Ladder has masses of beautiful spikes of lightly-scented sky blue star-shaped flowers with white anthers rising above the foliage from mid spring to early summer, which emerge from distinctive shell pink flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive ferny pinnately compound leaves remain green in color with distinctive white edges throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Touch Of Class Jacob's Ladder is an herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Touch Of Class Jacob's Ladder is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Touch Of Class Jacob's Ladder will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 15 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.