CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS / NEW JERSEY TEA

CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS / NEW JERSEY TEA

A Native Shrub with Fragrant Flowers and Wildlife Benefits

Ceanothus americanus, commonly known as New Jersey Tea, is a native deciduous shrub admired for its clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. Thriving in full sun with well-drained soils, this low-growing shrub adds texture, seasonal interest, and ecological value to naturalized landscapes, pollinator gardens, and prairie-style plantings. Its nitrogen-fixing roots enrich the soil, making it a valuable companion in native gardens.

Why Choose New Jersey Tea?

Pollinator Friendly: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Native & Ecologically Valuable: Supports wildlife and improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal care.
Ornamental Form: Compact, bushy growth with fragrant white flowers adds seasonal interest.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Dark green leaves, turning subtle shades of red in fall.
Flower Color: Clusters of fragrant white blooms in late spring to early summer.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 2–3 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–8.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates sandy and loamy conditions.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 2–3 feet tall, 2–3 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Low, bushy shrub with dense branching.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8.
Flowering: Late spring to early summer with fragrant white blooms.

Ideal Uses:

Pollinator & Butterfly Gardens: Supports bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Prairie & Naturalized Landscapes: Adds texture and ecological value to native plantings.
Borders & Rock Gardens: Perfect for low-growing, ornamental shrub layers.
Low-Maintenance Landscapes: Drought-tolerant and long-lived once established.

New Jersey Tea is a charming and ecologically important native shrub. Its fragrant flowers, soil-enriching qualities, and wildlife benefits make it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, prairies, and naturalized landscapes.