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Polemonium caeruleum

Native to:
Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Polemoniaceae
Genus:
Polemonium
Species:
Polemonium caeruleum
USDA Symbol:
POCA2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
90 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
blue, violet, white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage preferred
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers cool, shaded environments

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Light aids germination. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society