Polemonium reptans

Polemonium reptans is a more bushy Greek valerian species than a creeping one, producing a loose, spreading tuft of matte green foliage, finely cut like ferns. It displays clusters of small, pendulous cup-shaped flowers in pale lilac-blue or white at the end of spring. This perennial plant is ideal for bordering a path, a rockery, in moist soil, under non-burning sun or partial shade.

The creeping polemonium belongs to the Polemoniaceae family. Polemonium reptans is native to the eastern United States, from Minnesota to New Hampshire, Georgia, Mississippi, and west of the Appalachians, where it is typically found in rich, moist understories, often along riverbanks. This perennial forms a prostrate tuft of 40cm (16in) in all directions. Completely dormant in winter, the plant rapidly undergoes all its growth in spring and early summer, up to flowering. Its deciduous foliage is composed of pinnate leaves, highly dissected, flexible, reminiscent in shape of ferns, with 7 to 9 oval and pointed leaflets, almost glabrous. They are distinguished by their light green and rather dull hue. They are continuously renewed from spring to summer, before disappearing in winter. During the months of May to June, erect flower stems emerge from the foliage, bearing buds that open into small light blue-lilac flowers with white throats, dotted with yellow-orange anthers. This nectar-rich flowering is frequently visited by bees and butterflies.

Plant it in a mixed border or at the edge of a flower bed, in combination with anemones, pasque flowers, or at the base of shrubs or old roses. This species prefers sunny to semi-shaded exposures to flower well. To brighten up a rockery, a narrow border, or a clear understory, this selection has no rival. Associate it with corydalis, bleeding hearts, Geranium nodosum, and Epimedium. It pairs well with different foliage and flower colours, adapts well in a flowering pot, placed prominently as a specimen, its light blue flowering attracting attention above the dense mass of its foliage. It is a good plant for decorating the surroundings of water features.

In the past, the dried roots of Polemonium reptans were used in herbal medicine. They were harvested in autumn and dried for later use.