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Herbaceous Perennial

Polemonium yezoense var. hidakanum 'Purple Rain'

Hokkaido Jacob's ladder 'Purple Rain'

'Purple Rain' is a herbaceous perennial producing a mound of foliage with very small leaflets in dark green flushed with purple-black. Star-shaped, purple flowers with prominent stamens and cream anthers appear in small clusters on dark stems in early summer

Synonyms
Polemonium 'Purple Rain'

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Black Green Purple Black Green Purple
Summer Black Green Purple Purple Black Green Purple
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Polemoniaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Polemonium can be annuals or herbaceous perennials or upright or spreading habit, with pinnate leaves and usually clustered, tubular, bell, or funnel-shaped flowers

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame, in autumn or spring, and select seedlings with the best-coloured foliage or divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Cut back foliage to ground level at the end of the season

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Powdery mildews can sometimes be a problem

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