Description
New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a deciduous shrub that remains compact and rounded with deep tap roots, making moving this difficult after it is established. New Jersey Tea is attractive to many types of pollinators for its fragrant blooms. Often only growing up to three feet tall, this shrub stays low and upright. Its oval shaped clusters of flowers will add a nice touch to any garden from Late May until early August.
Light: Sun, Part Shade
Moisture: Well-Drained, Dry
Soil Type: Rocky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil pH: 5.5 – 7
Average Height: 3 Feet
Flowers: Resembles smaller lilac flowers. Abundant, tiny white flowers in oval shaped clusters
Bloom Time: Late May- August
Native Region: Eastern and Central North America
Wildlife: Host plant of the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
Additional Notes: The dried leaves of this nitrogen-fixing shrub make an excellent tea that was very popular during the Revolutionary War period. Deer and rabbits may graze on small shrubs; protection in the early years is recommended




