New Jersey Tea - Ceanothus americanus

Phonetic:  say-an-OH-thus ah-mer-ih-KAY-nus

Shrubs larger than 1 gallon can not be shipped.

Most shrubs will not be ready before the first week of June when they are fully leafed out.

1 Gallon Pot - 6-9” Shrub

New Jersey Tea features glossy leaves, numerous bright white flowers and a mounding shape that make this compact shrub a popular garden member. The deep tap root makes it very drought tolerant once established. With a slow to moderate growth rate the long-lived plants will mature in 2 to 3 years. New Jersey Tea is attractive to hummingbirds, which eat the tiny insects that pollinate the flowers. It is a deciduous shrub with a woody stem system which supports the next year's growth and blooms on new wood. It can be cut back to the ground in early spring (rejuvenation pruning) to encourage new growth, or it can be left to grow naturally.

• Hardiness:  3 - 9
• Native Northeast Region:  BONAP Map
• BONAP Map Key Color Guide: Map Color Key
• Sun Exposure:  Full to Part Sun
• Flower Color:  White
• Bloom Time:  June, July, August
• Soil Type:  Medium - Dry
• Mature Plant Size:  3'H x 3'W
• Plant Spacing:  18-36"
• Host Plant: Spring Azure, Summer Azure, Mottled Duskywing
• Attracts:  Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
• Advantages: Drought tolerant, fragrant flowers, attractive fruit
• Landscape Uses: Butterfly garden, perennial border, cottage garden, cut flower garden
• Companion Plants: Purple Bergamot, Smooth Blue Aster, Butterfly Weed, Showy Tick Trefoil, Black Eyed Susan, New York Ironweed
• Deer Resistant

New Jersey Tea - Ceanothus americanus

How to Care for New Jersey Tea

Like many native perennials, New Jersey tea performs best when given the right attention during the first growing season.

• Water consistently during the first growing season: Newly planted shrubs need regular, deep watering while their roots become established.
• Let nature take over as the plant matures: Once established, New Jersey tea is naturally drought-tolerant and usually needs little watering except during long periods of unusually dry weather.
• Apply mulch thoughtfully: Keep a two- to three-inch layer of natural mulch that's a few inches away from the base of the stems. This helps retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition.
• Prune only when necessary: Heavy pruning is rarely needed and may temporarily reduce flowering.
• Skip excessive fertiliser: These native species have adapted to growing in lean soils, so too much fertiliser can encourage foliage and harm the flowers. In most gardens, healthy soil and organic matter provide everything the plant needs to thrive.

Grow a thriving landscape with New Jersey tea from Bagley Pond Perennials. Shop today or contact us for more support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can New Jersey tea be grown near other shrubs?

Yes. Its compact growth habit makes it easy to combine with other flowers and native shrubs. Make sure there's enough spacing so each plant receives good air circulation and room to mature naturally.

Does New Jersey tea bloom every year?

Healthy, established New Jersey tea typically blooms each growing season. Flower production may vary slightly depending on weather conditions and the plant's age.

Can this shrub handle windy locations?

Once established, its deep root system helps anchor the plant well, making it a good option for many windy open garden sites.

Is New Jersey tea suitable for naturalistic landscapes?

Absolutely. Its informal shape blends beautifully into meadows, woodland edges, prairie-style plantings, and restoration projects, creating an attractive landscape.

What makes this plant valuable for pollinator gardens?

Its clusters of nectar-rich flowers attract a wide variety of beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies, helping create a more diverse and active garden ecosystem throughout the season.