Family: Polemoniaceae

There are 25 species of hardy, herbaceous perennials in this genus from North America and Eurasia. Only a few species are generally cultivated, making a very pretty display as a massed garden bed, or in borders or rockeries. Sometimes grown as a container plant, they also make effective hanging basket subjects. The foliage is mainly fern-like and the flowers appear in summer.

Species

P. caeruleum, Jacob's ladder, zone 2, from temperate parts of Europe, is the most commonly cultivated species. Growing to 90 cm (36 in) high, it has pretty, sky blue flowers.

P. carneum, zone 6, growing to 90 cm (36 in), has salmon-coloured flowers. P. elcgans, zone 5, is a dwarf species, growing to 15 cm (6 in), with blue flowers.

P. foliosissimum, zone 3, to 75 cm (30 in), has blue, cream or white flowers.

P. foliosissimum var. flavum, zone 3, grows to 90 cm (36 in), producing red flowers with yellow centres.

P. reptans, zone 4, to 60 cm (24 in), has either blue or white flowers.

Cultivation

These plants will grow well in good soil, in temperate conditions. Flowering does not last long, but the plants seed freely. Propagate from seed or by division of the clumps.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.