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Arctic Jacob's Ladder 'Heavenly Habit'

Polemonium boreale (po-leh-MOH-nee-um bor-ee-AL-ee)

Family: Polemoniaceae Unknown Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Northern Jacob's ladder is a low growing clump forming perennial cultivar in the Polemoniaceae (phlox) family. 'Heavenly Habit' was named by Jelitto Seeds in 1999. It was selected out of a test field of the genus, its more compact and uniform habit led to its being called 'Heavenly Habit'. Cutting back in mid-summer will help to rejuvenate the plant. Deadheading on a regular basis will keep a more tidy appearance. Its dense foliage remains dense right to the ground. In containers, it makes a great filler in a 'spiller-thriller-filler' arrangement. Its foliage will not lose its fresh green color during the season. Propagation can be done by dividing the clumps. The optimum time for division is in early fall or spring. Best grown in a location that can provide even moisture and some shade, especially in warmer climates. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Powdery mildew can occur.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 55 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Lilac Chip' Dianthus plumarius Viola pedata

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Mounding
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Fern-like glossy green leaves.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are adorned with a yellow halo and a white eye.
Bloom time
Summer
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Upright stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
High Arctic
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Attracts
Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Pollinators
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Easy to Grow; Textural
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Meadow; Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Slope/Bank; Walkways; Woodland
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting; Small groups
Garden tags
#showy flowers #cutting garden #heat intolerant #humidity intolerant #compact #deer resistant #fragrant flowers #butterfly friendly #clumping #mounding #herbaceous #rock garden #herbaceous perennial #deciduous #filler #low growing #container plant #hummingbird friendly #edging #urban conditions tolerant #fern-like #velvety #perennial #woodland
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer; Diseases; Insect Pests
Propagation
Division

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.