Equipped with spiritual symbolism, the lushly flowering Jacob's ladder stands out from the large mass of summer-flowering summer perennials. However, the path to successfully cultivating a ladder to heaven is less steep. Anyone who explores the following answers to frequently asked questions will recognize the frugal undemanding nature of this enchanting flower.
How do I care for a Jacob's ladder in the garden?
Jacob's ladder is an undemanding, frost-resistant perennial that thrives in sunny to partially shaded locations with nutrient-rich, moist soil. It flowers in two phases - May/June and September/October - and can be propagated by division or seeds.
Planting Jacob's Ladder correctly
As a classic wild perennial, the sky ladder favors autumn as the best planting time. Alternatively, put the plant in the ground in April/May. While the nutrient-rich, moist soil is prepared in a sunny location until it is finely crumbly, soak the still potted root ball in a container with water. It's so uncomplicated:
- Dig small pits at a distance of 35-40 cm in order to mix the excavated material with compost (€10.00 on Amazon) and horn shavings
- Unpot the young plant, insert it in the middle and plant up to the lower pair of leaves
- Press the soil with your hands and pour generously
A mulch layer of leaves or bark mulch contributes significantly to growth and provides winter protection in the first year.
Care tips
The path to heavenly abundance of flowers is neither rocky nor steep, because the care of a ladder to heaven is limited to the following aspects:
- Never let the soil dry out and water it even in winter when there is frost
- Fertilize monthly with compost from April to September
- After the first flowering, cut back to the basal leaves
- Pruning close to the ground in autumn or late winter
Since the plant is frost-resistant down to -45 degrees Celsius, no precautions need to be taken for overwintering. In pot culture, we still recommend moving to a bright, frost-free winter quarters.read more
Which location is suitable?
In the wild, the flower looks for a place in nutrient-rich meadows or along a light edge of trees. The closer the location in the garden is to these conditions, the more effectively the plant shows off its artistic strengths. These characteristics are important:
- Sunny to semi-shady location
- Warm and protected from the wind
- Humoser, fresh, moist to moist soil
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The correct planting distance
So that the herbaceous plant can perfectly showcase its pretty pinnate leaves and bright blue flowers, we recommend the following planting distances:
- Growth height 30-40 cm: planting distance 35 cm
- Growth height 60-80 cm: planting distance 40 cm
If you cultivate the flower in the balcony box, the planting distance is reduced by 8-10 cm to create a lush appearance.
What soil does the plant need?
The mystical plant develops its summer flowers to perfection when the soil is like this:
- Nutritional and humic
- Moderately moist to well moist, but without waterlogging
In pots and balcony boxes, the sky ladder thrives wonderfully in structurally stable, compost-based potting soil. Choose a product with as little peat as possible, as this component tends to compact when watered frequently.
When is flowering time?
The magnificent ladder to heaven does not stop at just one flowering period. Since the plant has the ability to replant, it delights us with its first blooms in May and June. If you then cut the withered flower stalks back to the foliage and add a little compost, an equally lush bloom will follow in September and October.
Cut Jacob's Ladder correctly
Mother Nature endowed the ladder to heaven with the potential for rebloom. In order for the flower to actually achieve this floral masterpiece, it requires a repair cut. After the first bloom has withered, cut off all stems down to the basal foliage. Here you only remove leaves that no longer appear he althy and plump. In September and October the plant delights with subsequent blooms. Shortly before the first frost, cut the withered sky ladder close to the ground.
Water Jacob's Ladder
The water requirement of a ladder to heaven is at a high level. This means that the root ball inside should never dry out. If the substrate surface dries, watering takes place. During hot summer days this may well be necessary twice a day. Always apply the water directly to the root disc and avoid sprinkling. If frost dominates in winter, water the plant on mild days.
Fertilize Jacob's Ladder properly
A mineral-organic starter fertilization in March/April provides a noticeable boost to this year's growth. Then treat the flower with a portion of compost and horn shavings every 4 weeks. The plant also happily accepts a nutritious mulch layer of leaf soil or bark humus.
Multiply Jacob's Ladder
The uncomplicated cultivation of a ladder to heaven continues seamlessly in terms of propagation. Dividing the rootstock in autumn not only creates more specimens, but also contributes to the rejuvenation of this magnificent perennial. In addition, the ripe capsule fruits contain 1 to 12 seeds, which enable propagation by sowing. If you are a normal germinator, sow the seeds behind glass in February, put a plastic bag over the seed container and keep the substrate slightly moist. After just 2 weeks, the first cotyledons emerge, from which vital young plants will develop by May.
Is the ladder to heaven hardy?
If the plant received its autumn pruning, no further preparations need to be made for overwintering in the bed. The flower is so frost-resistant that even temperatures of -45 degrees Celsius don't bother it if it were that cold in our regions. In pot culture, however, there is a risk that the root ball will freeze. Wrap the container in bubble wrap and place it on a Styrofoam plate or a wooden block. Small pots with a diameter of less than 30 cm should ideally be stored in a frost-free winter quarters.read more
Trivia
When you look at this blue blooming flower, the association with a ladder to heaven is within your grasp. Since it seems as if the flowers and leaves arranged like a staircase invite passing angels to ascend to heaven, Christians see a direct connection to the biblical ladder to heaven. In a dream vision Jacob saw this ascent and descent between heaven and earth as he was fleeing from Esau. So the title Jacob's Ladder for the native perennial was obvious.
Beautiful varieties
- Album: Native perennial with pure white flowers in spring and again in autumn; Growth height 60-80 cm
- Königssee: Impresses with gentian blue flowers and compact growth, ideal for the pot; Growth height 40 cm
- Purple Rain: Purple flowering ladder to heaven with light purple flowers; Growth height 30-40 cm
- Stairway to Heaven: Premium variety with blue flowers and cream-yellow variegated foliage; Growth height 30-40 cm
- Lambrook Mauve: Delicate beauty with feathery leaves and lilac flowers; Growth height 50-60 cm
