New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
New Jersey Tea is one of my favorite native shrubs~ and the first I learned how to propagate.
It's amazing how much this species offers wildlife. New Jersey Tea feeds pollinators all Summer with its clouds of fragrant white flowers. It's ever busy hosting butterflies like Azure butterflies, 30 species of Lepioptera including 5 specialist moths and supports countless variety of native bees like beautiful Green Sweat Bees.
All of this pollinator action and the resulting seeds attracts birds like quail, turkey and songbirds to your garden!
And let's not forget.... HUMMINGBIRDS love Ceanothus americanus too!
New Jersey Tea is one of my favorite native shrubs~ and the first I learned how to propagate.
It's amazing how much this species offers wildlife. New Jersey Tea feeds pollinators all Summer with its clouds of fragrant white flowers. It's ever busy hosting butterflies like Azure butterflies, 30 species of Lepioptera including 5 specialist moths and supports countless variety of native bees like beautiful Green Sweat Bees.
All of this pollinator action and the resulting seeds attracts birds like quail, turkey and songbirds to your garden!
And let's not forget.... HUMMINGBIRDS love Ceanothus americanus too!
New Jersey Tea is one of my favorite native shrubs~ and the first I learned how to propagate.
It's amazing how much this species offers wildlife. New Jersey Tea feeds pollinators all Summer with its clouds of fragrant white flowers. It's ever busy hosting butterflies like Azure butterflies, 30 species of Lepioptera including 5 specialist moths and supports countless variety of native bees like beautiful Green Sweat Bees.
All of this pollinator action and the resulting seeds attracts birds like quail, turkey and songbirds to your garden!
And let's not forget.... HUMMINGBIRDS love Ceanothus americanus too!
I’m often asked about this shrub’s name. YES you can use the leaves for brewing tea! Dry leaves or fresh produces a cup similar to Lipton tea— add boiling water to a teaspoon of leaves, steep 3-5 minutes then strain and enjoy.
PLANT DEETS:
Deciduous low growing shrub perfect for shrub borders or as a backdrop in your garden
Excellent ‘soft landing’ plant when layered with Butterfly Milkweed and Lance-leaf Coreopsis
Grows 3-4’ tall and wide
Best in Full Sun & thrives in poor but well-draining soils like rocky slopes and sandy soils.
Drought tolerant once established due to it’s long taproot. Hence New Jersey Tea does not transplant well!
New Jersey Tea matures in 2-3 years. Hey that taproot has to grown first~ then the blooms will come. Until then foliage will feed and shelter caterpillars.
Planted in drifts of three or more plants create a stunning visual and attract pollinators and wildlife.
