2014 Plant of the Year, Honorable Mention

Proposed by: a member of Little Compton Garden Club, Zone I

Polemonium reptans is notable because it is thought to be the best variegated Jacob’s Ladder ever introduced. This native variety is vigorous and heat-tolerant. It forms low mounds of medium-green fern-like leaves that are broad, bold, and cream colored. The leaf will take on a pink tinge in direct sun or cool weather so that the plant is showy in an autumn garden. Clusters of lightly fragrant lavender blue bell-shaped flowers rise about the foliage in the mid to late spring and attract insects and butterflies. This plant is ideal for edging a shady path or growing in a pot.  It requires average to moist soil conditions and is root hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8.