New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Also listed as Ceanothus intermedius, Ceanothus decumbens
Also known as Jersey Tea, Jersey-tea Ceanothus, Mountainsweet
Climate Match for your location
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A native deciduous shrub producing delicate white flower clusters in late spring and early summer, historically used to make tea. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and valuable for dry sites, poor soils, and supporting pollinators.
Why grow it
New Jersey Tea outperforms many ornamental shrubs on marginal sites where drought and poor fertility limit options. Unlike many native alternatives, it combines nitrogen-fixation capability (via root nodules) with reliable pollinator appeal and minimal pest pressure once established. Its deciduous habit makes it useful in mixed plantings where summer shade from larger species is desired, and its moderate mature size (3-4 feet) fits tighter spaces than some competing native shrubs.
Watch out for
Plants may take two to three seasons to establish a deep root system, so supplemental water during establishment reduces transplant shock. Pruning is rarely necessary, but the plant can become leggy or thin if grown in insufficient light, making site selection for adequate sun important before planting. Some gardeners report variable germination rates from seed if collection or storage conditions were suboptimal.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native deciduous shrub producing delicate white flower clusters in late spring and early summer, historically used to make tea. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and valuable for dry sites, poor soils, and supporting pollinators.
Climate Match for your location
See how well New Jersey Tea grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
New Jersey Tea outperforms many ornamental shrubs on marginal sites where drought and poor fertility limit options. Unlike many native alternatives, it combines nitrogen-fixation capability (via root nodules) with reliable pollinator appeal and minimal pest pressure once established. Its deciduous habit makes it useful in mixed plantings where summer shade from larger species is desired, and its moderate mature size (3-4 feet) fits tighter spaces than some competing native shrubs.
Watch out for
Plants may take two to three seasons to establish a deep root system, so supplemental water during establishment reduces transplant shock. Pruning is rarely necessary, but the plant can become leggy or thin if grown in insufficient light, making site selection for adequate sun important before planting. Some gardeners report variable germination rates from seed if collection or storage conditions were suboptimal.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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