Jacob's Ladder

About this plant

Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven' is an extraordinary cultivar of Jacob's Ladder, renowned for its stunning, cream-edged green foliage that often develops pinkish hues in cooler weather. This delightful perennial forms a tidy mound, providing season-long interest even before its delicate, bell-shaped lavender-blue flowers emerge in spring. Ideal for brightening shady borders, woodland gardens, or cottage garden settings, 'Stairway to Heaven' offers excellent texture and color contrast. Its charming flowers also attract early pollinators, making it a wonderful addition to a biodiverse garden. Easy to grow and relatively low-maintenance, this Jacob's Ladder variety thrives in conditions that mimic its native woodland environment, rewarding gardeners with enduring beauty and understated elegance.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires consistently moist, well-draining soil. Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming and prevent self-seeding, though volunteer seedlings may not be true to type. Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.