Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea)

Create a pollinator party in your yard with this beautiful native shrub with a rich cultural history. New Jersey tea is a nitrogen fixing plant, which means it improves the fertility of soil. The fluffy white flowers are not only beautiful, but are an important food source for many pollinators. Yellow stems create winter interest. This shrublet usually only reaches 3 ft, but can get a bit bigger when happy. Very ornamental… it would look great in a mixed border, as a small hedge lining an herb garden, or among fruit trees to help fix nitrogen and draw pollinators. Unfortunately the deer like it, so site carefully where they are present.

History: The roots and leaves were widely used by several Native American communities as a tea and medicinal herb for digestive ailments and as an eyewash. They introduced it to the European settlers. Though it contains no caffeine it was used as a tea substitute for the colonists and American soldiers during the Revolutionary War when there was no imported tea available which gave rise to the common name, New Jersey tea. Deciduous. Sun – part shade. Tough and drought tolerant. Hardy zones 4-8