New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
Ceanothus graces us with its clusters of petite, fragrant, and creamy white flowers. Their delicate beauty adds elegance to the natural landscape.
New Jersey Tea is a compact herbaceous perenniel, typically reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet. Its modest size makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or as an understory plant in larger landscapes.
Ceanothus graces us with its clusters of petite, fragrant, and creamy white flowers. Their delicate beauty adds elegance to the natural landscape.
New Jersey Tea is a compact herbaceous perenniel, typically reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet. Its modest size makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or as an understory plant in larger landscapes.
Ceanothus graces us with its clusters of petite, fragrant, and creamy white flowers. Their delicate beauty adds elegance to the natural landscape.
New Jersey Tea is a compact herbaceous perenniel, typically reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet. Its modest size makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or as an understory plant in larger landscapes.
Where does it grow? New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus, also known as Red Root and Mountain Snowbells ,is a captivating native shrub that thrives in the diverse landscapes of North Carolina. It's often found in dry, rocky soils, and can be spotted in open woodlands, along roadsides, and in prairie-like settings.
What plants does it like to grow with? New Jersey Tea is a sociable shrub that forms beneficial partnerships with other native plants. It harmonizes beautifully with species like Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa).
What pollinator species are attracted to it? The fragrant, creamy white blossoms of New Jersey Tea are a magnet for pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies and hummingbirds. These diligent insects are drawn to its nectar-rich blooms, making it a valuable contributor to the vitality of local ecosystems.
Is it a host plant for any moths or butterflies? Ceanothus serves as a host plant for the Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly (Cupido comyntas), Spring Azure, Summer Azure, and the Mottled Duskywing. By cultivating this shrub in your garden, you provide essential habitat for this enchanting butterfly species and support its life cycle.
When does it bloom and for how long? New Jersey Tea typically blesses us with its fragrant blooms in late spring to early summer. The flowering period can extend for several weeks, ensuring an extended season of beauty and pollinator support.
What type of soil does it like? Ceanothus thrives in well-drained, sandy to loamy soils. It's well-suited to drier conditions, making it an ideal choice for water-wise and xeriscape gardens.
How much sunlight or shade does it need? New Jersey Tea is a sun-loving shrub that flourishes in full sun to partial shade. It performs best when it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.