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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Polemonium caeruleum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent Diaphoretic Epilepsy

The herb is astringent and diaphoretic[4, 61]. It was formerly used internally in the treatment of a wide range of conditions ranging from headaches to fevers and epilepsy[238]. The plant is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, it prefers a moist well-drained fertile soil in sun or semi-shade[1, 111, 200]. Dislikes damp or heavy soils[111], though it tolerates alkaline conditions[238]. Hardy to at least -20°c[187]. A polymorphic species, there are several sub-species[187] and many named forms[238]. Plants are fairly short-lived in cultivation unless they are divided regularly and moved to fresh soil[233]. They can self-sow to the point of nuisance, however[187, 200] and will also survive when growing in lush grass[187]. Cats are strongly attracted by the smell of this plant and will frequently roll on it and injure it[4].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[14]. Another report says that the seed is best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[188]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in early spring or early autumn[111]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey, Armenia, Russian Federation (Gorno-Altay, Tyva, Respublika, Altay, Krasnoyarsk, Kemerovskaja oblast, Kurganskaja oblast, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tomsk, Tyumen), Mongolia, Russian Federation (Amur, Kamcatskij kraj, Kurile Islands, Primorye, Sakhalin), China (Heilongjiang Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng (northwest)), Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu (north)), Korea, North TROPICAL ASIA: India, Nepal, Pakistan (north) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories (west), Yukon, Alberta, British Columbia), United States (Alaska) EUROPE: Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Serbia, France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Polemonium reptans	Abcess Root, Greek valerian	Perennial	0.3	4-8		LM	SN	M	0	2	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Polemonium caeruleum - L.