Three Acre Tablea garden, a kitchen, a good excuse to gather
Ceanothus americanus
Plate — illustration to come
Native · New Jersey

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Shrub

Small mound-forming shrub covered in frothy white flower clusters in early summer. The leaves were dried and brewed as a tea substitute during the American Revolution — hence the name. A deep taproot makes it nearly indestructible once established.

At a glance

The spec sheet.

Habitat
Dry, open woodlands, prairies, rocky slopes
Bloom time
June – July
Sun
Full sun to part sun
Soil
Dry, well-drained; tolerates rocky, sandy, and poor
Moisture
Dry — extremely drought-tolerant once established
Height
2–3 feet
For the wildlife

What it attracts.

The species that visit, feed on, or depend on this plant — and how they use it.

  • Summer Azure & Spring Azure butterflies

    Larval host

    Caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves

  • Native bees (30+ species)

    Nectar source

  • Hummingbirds

    Nectar source

  • Beneficial predatory wasps

    Nectar source

Notes on growing

Do not attempt to transplant after year one — the taproot goes down 12–15 feet. Plant small and leave it alone. Nitrogen-fixing. Deer-resistant.

Sources

Xerces Society · Jersey-Friendly Yards · Native Plant Society of NJ

Blooms with

Other natives in bloom now.