Polemonium 'Heavenly Habit'

Polemonium 'Heavenly Habit': Far-Northern Violet in a Neat Mound

Small violet-blue stars hovering over a low, fern-like mound. 'Heavenly Habit' is the one habit you'll never need to break. FINALLY, A GOOD ONE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Polemonium boreale 'Heavenly Habit'
• Common Name: Jacob's Ladder, Boreal Jacob's Ladder
• Height: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Small, starry, violet-blue with a pale eye, held in clusters just above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Late spring into summer (May to July)
• Foliage: Deep green and fern-like, forming a low, bushy mound
• Features: Compact

Where to Plant: Its small size makes it a natural for the front of a border, edging a path, rock gardens and containers. Plant several in a row for a soft blue ribbon along a shady walk, and give it afternoon shade in hot spots.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Heavenly Habit' in a moist bed in sun or part shade with ruby bergenia, blue-violet iris and pink meadowsweet. Bergenia 'Bressingham Ruby' opens rosy red-purple flowers at 30 to 35 cm in April and May. Iris 'Double Standards' adds light blue-violet Siberian iris at 75 to 85 cm in May and June. Filipendula 'Elegans' brings fragrant pink plumes at 45 to 75 cm from June to August. Miscanthus 'Purpurascens' rises behind at 120 to 180 cm, turning red-orange in fall.

Plant Care: Plant it in evenly moist, well-drained, average garden soil. It accepts full sun in cooler spots but appreciates afternoon shade where summers get hot. Work some compost into heavy clay before planting. Water regularly through dry spells, since it doesn't like to dry out. If it looks tired by midsummer, cut it back by about half to refresh the foliage. Cut the old leaves down in late fall or early spring. Divide in spring or early fall when the clump gets crowded.

History: Polemonium boreale is a far-northern Jacob's ladder of Arctic and subarctic regions. The German seed house Jelitto selected and named 'Heavenly Habit' in 1999, choosing it from a field of the species for its more compact, even growth.

Final Thoughts: Compact, deer resistant and buzzing with bees and butterflies. Give it some afternoon shade on hot days. START A NEW ROUTINE.