They need part shade or dappled shade. I lost a plant because it had too much shade. They also like moist, but well drained soil, so it's impotant to water them frequently after transplanting.

It grows well for me in forested/shady conditions, though it appreciates non-midday summer sun (or so it seems for me). They can either go dormant from lack of water, or continue to grow vegetatively after the bloom, if conditions are right. Mine always continue throwing new fresh growth all through the growing season.

the variegated ones are near impossible to grow long term .....

imo .... you have tried hard enough.... move on to a different plant .....

i dont see you losing anything.. seeing if they winter over .. but on the other hand ... it might irritate or worry you all winter.. might be best off just being done with it ....

ken

The blue and white flowering ones are like weeds in my yard - tried the variegated one and it didn't overwinter.

I had bad luck with the variegated one also. I think these plants resent transplanting. Maybe you could try sowing some seeds for it while growing new plants, and then see which ones do better.

Not that long-lived. Have planted Polemonium caeruleum, species and several cultivars and P. reptans, several cultivars. Very seldom last more than three of four years in our mixed perennial beds.

Hmm, I can only say that I have the one, and it's been transplanted through two yards and is now about seven years old.

Interesting, dbarron.

Re longevity; there are various comments on-line about relatively short longevity for Jacob's ladder, at least in some growing environments (eg. Gardenweb below).

Obviously the actual species and especially whether it's a cultivar is relevant, as well as the precise growing conditions (even within the same garden). That dbarron's plant had been moved between gardens suggests tolerance to at least some differences in precise growing conditions. But I have also seen greater longevity for a few individuals of the same perennial species or cultivar; most recently with a Trollius cultivar.

Another factor might be digging the plant up and replanting it. Even from experience, many garden perennials do better when this is done periodically with upgraded soil.

One other point; a generalization: perennials that are (can be) prolific reseeders (as with some Jacob's ladder) tend to be short lived.

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/polemonium-caeruleum-need-to-rethink-this-one-dsvw-vd~1640699[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/polemonium-caeruleum-need-to-rethink-this-one-dsvw-vd~1640699)

Yep, that's exactly so, SunnyBorders. The only polemonium which has returned even twice (for me|) was a sterile cultivar - Lambrooke Mauve.

Don't bother with them anymore.

No luck here, either -- eventually petered out on me. The plain ol' green one lasted longer than the variegated one, though, maybe two or three seasons. Although, I'm at a different house now, maybe I should try again here - I very much like the foliage, and the flowers are quite pretty.

Thanks for all of the great advice. I think the plants may have needed more sun than they were getting. I had them in a mostly shady location. We also got a ton of rain this August. More than usual. The ground may have gotten too soggy. I’m sad to see them go, but I think I need to replace them. Any suggestions for a medium height perennial (2’ to 3’) that can tolerate shade and moist conditions? I already have coral bells (palace purple), foam flower (sugar and spice), variegated hostas, ajuga, sedge (everest), hellebore, ghost ferns, and astilbe. I need something that will add height behind the coral bells. I was thinking maybe Lobelia or tricyrtis. But I’m open to suggestions. I’m new to gardening. (I’ve only been at it for 3 years.) I’ve learned so much from reading all of your posts. Thank you for sharing.
Lynn

Solomons seal (many), brunnera, begonia evansii, cimicifuga, campanula trachelium, digitalis come to mind...although moist shade is entirely beyond my understanding...growing in the UK version of semi-arid sunlight or totally dry woodland

Polemonium is generally classed as a perennial for sun...but UK sun, not some blistering US version.