General Culture:
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers rich, humusy, consistently moist soils. Soils must not be allowed to dry out. Plants may be cut back to basal foliage after bloom to tidy the planting and to encourage a possible late summer rebloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
‘Snow and Sapphires’ is being marketed as an improved version of the popular Jacob’s ladder cultivar called ‘Brise d’Anjou’ (see U490) in large part because (a) the variegated foliage of this new cultivar reportedly holds up better to the heat and humidity of summer, (b) the variegation is a clean white and (c) the flowers are fragrant. This is a compact, clump-forming perennial that typically forms a foliage mound to 10” tall and to 16” wide. Odd-pinnate compound leaves (to 27 leaflets each) appear ladder-like, hence the common name. The leaflets are bright green variegated with creamy white edges. Cup-shaped, sky blue flowers appear in loose, drooping, terminal clusters in spring (April-May in the St. Louis area). Flowers are fragrant. Specific epithet means sky blue in reference to the flower color. U. S. Plant Patent PP13,441 issued December 31, 2002.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf spot and powdery mildew can be problems, particularly in humid climates. Foliage may scorch in too much sun. Leaflet tips will brown up if soils are allowed to dry out. Foliage may decline and become less attractive as the summer progresses. Watch for slugs.
Uses:
Striking foliage will brighten shady locations in border fronts, woodland gardens, cottage gardens or shade gardens. Also appropriate for shaded areas of rock gardens.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
More photos:
(0 ratings) --- 
