POLEMONIUM 'BRESSINGHAM PURPLE'

I had a particular polemonium (aka Jacob's Ladder) 'Northern Lights'  growing at the front of my south-facing border for many years but this year it disappeared underground for winter and never came back.  Plants will do that.  So I bought another and this one is Polemonium 'Bressingham Purple'. Not only does it have a lovely flower - look at those orange anthers - but the leaves are interesting too.  

Polemonium 'Bressingham Purple'

It forms a neat clump and I found my previous one easy to care for: just chop the dead flower heads off, and don't let it die in a drought. I occasionally water my garden using a Miracle-Grow Feeder containing either Miracle-Gro All Purpose plant food (nitrogen for leaves) or Phostrogen (for flowers).  

The label says "Stunning dark leaves all season long on vertical stems, topped with rich blue flowers in early summer.  Wonderful foliage contrast in any mixed border. Hardy and perennial, height 60cm, spread 40cm. Full sun/part shade. Remove faded flowering stems and top dress every spring with a little general fertilizer, and remove any old damaged outer leaves. 

Polemonium 'Bressingham Purple'

According to the RHS (I just checked), "Polemonium prefer a spot in partial shade or dappled sunlight with fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Mulch in spring with organic matter to help retain moisture and suppress weeds."  Someone should have told my previous one which I had for about seven years or more.  I grew it on the lower part of my slightly sloping garden where it got full sun until sometime after noon, depending on the time of year.  

Polemonium 'Northern Lights' 2016

Polemonium 'Heavenly Habit' 2014

Polemonium 'Lambrook Mauve' 2016