Polemonium 'Touch of Class'

Polemonium 'Touch of Class': White-Edged Leaves Long After the Flowers

Ladder-like leaves with every leaflet edged in crisp white, plus pale blue cups on top. 'Touch of Class' brings a linen napkin to a paper plate party. PINKIES UP.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Polemonium reptans 'Touch of Class'
• Common Name: Jacob's Ladder, Creeping Jacob's Ladder
• Height: 30–40 cm (12–16 in)
• Spread: 35–45 cm (14–18 in)
• Flowers: Pale blue to light violet, cup-shaped, in loose clusters
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Ladder-like green leaves, each leaflet edged in white
• Features: Variegated foliage all season
• Plant Patent: USPP 19,768

Where to Plant: The white-edged leaves light up shady beds long after the flowers finish, so use it where foliage matters: the front of a woodland border, along a shady path or in a part-shade container. Site it where it escapes hot afternoon sun.

Companion Plants: Primula Crescendo® Bright Red flowers red in April and May, just ahead of the Jacob's ladder. Heuchera 'Berry Timeless' adds pink flowers from June to October at 20 to 25 cm. Astilbe 'Diamond' rises behind with white plumes at 75 to 80 cm from June to August. All three handle part shade, so this works well at the edge of a woodland bed.

Plant Care: Plant in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in part shade. Morning sun is fine, but hot afternoon sun can scorch the variegated leaves. Mix compost into heavy clay or sandy soil at planting, and water during dry spells. Cut off spent flower stalks after blooming to keep the plant tidy. Cut the foliage back in late fall or early spring. Divide in spring or early fall when the clump becomes crowded.

History: 'Touch of Class' was discovered in April 2005 by Marc Laviana at Sunny Border Nurseries in Kensington, Connecticut, as a natural branch sport of the variegated 'Stairway to Heaven', and was patented in 2009. Its species, Polemonium reptans, is a woodland wildflower of eastern North America.

Final Thoughts: Variegated all season, deer resistant and good for early bees. Give it shade in the afternoon. CLASS IS IN SESSION.