Jacob’s Ladder is a sweet herbaceous perennial wildflower not common in N.C. (only in 2 counties), but native to rich, moist woodlands in much of Eastern North America. The flowers are a dainty, bright shot of blue on 1 -1.5 foot high spray of foliage in a spring garden. From April to June, tubular clusters of small blooms top delicate stems with pinnately compound leaves suggestive of a ladder’s shape. Although it is a spring ephemeral, it seems to persist vegetatively well into the summer. Best grown in light shade or dappled sun in moist, well drained, humusy soil, it can tolerate more light if it’s not too dry. This is not an aggresive plant, but since it tends to spread by self-seeding around the garden, it may develop into a light ground cover. It is reported to be deer resistant, and it attracts bees.
