Polemonium Liniflorum Alba

This white-flowered form of Polemonium chinense creates a graceful clump of pinnate leaves divided into many narrow leaflets, giving the familiar ladder-like effect behind the common name Jacob’s ladder. Branching summer stems carry loose clusters of small, pure white bells with projecting stamens, bringing a light, airy quality to woodland edges and partially shaded borders. Native relatives occur in East Asian forest country, and the plant responds best to cool, humus-rich soil. Cutting back after flowering encourages a fresh mound of attractive foliage.