Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea, Redroot

  • Leaves were used as tea substitute during Revolutionary War
  • Easy to grow
  • Drought tolerant
  • Sweet flowers
  • Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
  • Dense, tight form
  • Yellow twigs for winter interest
  • White flowers in late May

American Beauties Native Plants

Purchase options for New Jersey Tea, Redroot

  • Size: #1 6-9"
  • Status: BeautiFULL
  • Availability: In Stock

$38.00


  • Size: #2 12-15"
  • Status: Sheared and/or Dormant
  • Availability: In Stock

$54.00


This American Beauties native has a storied American history on the east coast as its common name came from the fact that its foliage was used as a tea substitute during the Revolutionary War. Today, it's just a great shrub that will thrive in a sunny, well-drained location! Four inch long, deep green leaves with hairy, gray reverse tightly pack this branchy plant to form a dense, compact, spreading plant that pushes flower stalks from leaf bases on the upper ends of branches in early May. Tiny white flowers cluster on these stalks in late May filling the garden with sweet fragrance and attracting butterflies and hummingbirds from far and wide. New Jersey Tea is easy to grow and drought resistant… it's tough enough for rough landscape spots but refined enough to use as specimen or border planting in a more formal setting. 

Attributes
Border or Bed
Fragrant
Native
Specimen
Foliage Color
Green
Maintenance and Care
Drought Tolerant
Low Maintenance
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Flower Color
White
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Spring
Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun
Partial Shade
Habit
Upright
Soil Moisture
Dry Soil
Average Water
Moist, Well-Drained
Growing Tips for Ceanothus americanus

Thrives in a sunny, well-drained location!