VMC Native Garden ShrubLight: Full Sun –Partial Shade
Water: Average to Dry
Soil: Well-drained
Hardiness Zones: 4 – 8
Height: 3 – 4 ft
Spacing: 3 – 5 ft
Bloom Times: May – July
Bloom Color: White
Garden Use: Low-growing shrub, perfect for mixed borders and in pollinator gardens, native gardens and slopes.
Benefits: Deep roots make this a drought-tolerant and slope-stabilizing shrub. Useful for areas with infertile or rocky soil and dry, harsh conditions. Host plant for butterfly species: Mottled Duskywing, Spring Azure, Summer Azure butterflies.
Ceanothus americanus
New Jersey Tea
Q U I C K T I P S
The leaves of our native Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea) were used as a tea substitute during early colonial times in America. Native Americans also used the plant for medicinal purposes.
Nowadays, we use this wonderful shrub as a great low-growing, flowering shrub in our gardens. The blooms last for a relatively long period and attract many pollinators. Additionally it is a host plant for several species of butterfly, so it is a crucial plant for our native ecosystem.
Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea) is a resilient shrub, with glossy, green leaves. It’s easy to grow in well-drained soil and is a great drought-tolerant shrub that works well in border gardens where a low-growing shrub can mix with perennials.