While many woodland plants go dormant by late summer, this native perennial erupts into a cloud of small, starry blossoms that range from sky blue to rich lavender with creamy yellow centers. It is easily recognized by its attractive, heart-shaped (cordate) leaves at the base, which give way to airy, branching stems as it reaches for the autumn sun. It is a tough, versatile plant that bridges the gap between the end of summer and the first frost, providing a soft, cooling aesthetic to the woodland edge.
Sun Exposure Part Shade to Full Shade
Water Needs Moderate; can handle dry shade once established
Soil Type Clay, Loam, or Sand
Mature Height 2 to 3 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate
Bloom Time September – October
Bloom Color light blue to lavender
Plant Spacing 1.5 to 2 feet
Shade Brilliance: One of the most prolific bloomers for shaded areas
Textural Foliage: The basal leaves provide a lovely, dark green groundcover early in the season before the flowering stalks emerge.
Adaptable & Hardy: Thrives in the difficult "dry shade" found under established deciduous trees where other perennials might wilt.
Potentially Aggressive Spreader: Could overwhelm small landscapes. Choose planting sites with this in mind.
Pollinator Magnet: An absolutely vital nectar source for late-season bees and butterflies
Bird Support: Like many asters, the small seeds are a favorite for foraging songbirds during the late autumn and early winter months.
Biodiversity: Acts as a host plant for several species of checkerspot butterflies and moths.
Jacob's Ladder is a classic spring beauty whose name comes from its unique, ladder-like foliage—neat rows of small, paired leaflets that climb up the stems like the rungs of a ladder. In mid-to-late spring, this lush greenery is topped with clusters of delicate, bell-shaped flowers ranging from shades of pink to blue.
This native perennial is highly prized for its "polite" growing habit. It forms a tidy, mounded clump that provides a fine-textured backdrop for larger woodland plants. Whether planted along a shaded walkway or tucked into a rock garden, Jacob’s Ladder offers a cooling, serene presence as the garden transitions from spring to summer.
Sun Exposure Full Sun (if has adequate moisture) Part Shade to Full Shade (preferred)
Water Needs Medium; prefers consistent moisture
Soil Type Loose, rich, moist, well-drained Clay, Loam or Sandy soils
Mature Height 1 foot
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time April – June
Bloom Color Blue
Plant Spacing 6 to 12 inches
Foliage: The "ladder" leaves provide exceptional texture and remain attractive long after the short blooming flowers have faded.
Tolerant & Tough: Unlike some delicate spring wildflowers, Jacob’s Ladder is quite sturdy and can handle a variety of soil conditions as long as it doesn't dry out completely.
Black Walnut Tolerant
Early Pollinator Support: The bell-shaped blooms are a favorite for early-emerging native bees, including mining bees and bumblebees.
Unlike the tall garden phlox of midsummer, this native variety stays low to the ground, forming drifts of sky-blue to pale lavender blossoms. The plant features semi-evergreen foliage that stays close to the earth, sending up slender flowering stems. It is the perfect choice for naturalizing under deciduous trees, where it creates a "blue mist" effect that bridges the gap between early spring bulbs and summer greenery. It is also known as Woodland Phlox.
Sun Exposure Part Shade to Full Shade
Water Needs Medium; prefers consistent moisture
Soil Type Rich, moist, well-drained Clay, Loam or woodland soil
Mature Height 10 to 15 inches
Deer Resistance Low toModerate
Bloom Time April, May, June
Bloom Color Blue
Plant Spacing 10 to 12 inches
Black Walnut Tolerant
Blooms: The flowers range from pale lavender or violet to blue. The flowers sit atop sticky stems and have a slight sweet fragrance.
Versatile Groundcover: While it is a clumping perennial, it will slowly spread via creeping stems that root at the nodes, making it an excellent filler for woodland gaps.
Early Season Structure: The foliage remains attractive throughout the summer after the blooms have finished, providing a lush green base for other plants.
How to Identify: Phlox have 5 petals and the leaves on Phlox have opposite leaves. There is an invasive look-alike, Dame’s Rocket, that has 4 petals and alternate leaves.
Pollinator Magnet: The long-tubed flowers are a critical early-season nectar source for long-tongued insects, especially to hummingbirds, Clearwing Moths and butterflies.