Jacob's Ladder

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: MayHardiness: fully hardy Jacob's Ladder gets its name from arrangement of its leaves – pairs of opposite leaflets resembling a ladder. 'Purple Rain' has distinctive bronze foliage that contrasts beautifully with the pretty, bell shaped, sapphire blue flowers that rise up in early summer on erect stems. A cottage-garden favourite, Jacob's Ladder, is happiest in partial shade, and looks equally at home in a wildlife garden setting and thrives in grass. Although it is short-lived, it self seeds freely.Garden care: Cut the plant back after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers. In autumn, cut the faded flowerheads down to the ground and compost the dead stems....more Price: £6.95 Source: Crocus •