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Jacob's Ladder gets its name from the arrangement of its leaves – pairs of opposite leaflets resembling a ladder. In early summer erect stems rise up from the bright green foliage carrying clusters of bell-shaped lavender-blue flowers. A cottage-garden favourite Jacob's Ladder is happiest in partial shade and looks equally at home in a wildlife garden setting or 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.