New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
Ceanothus americanus, commonly known as New Jersey Tea, is a compact, deciduous native shrub found in prairies, open woods, rocky hillsides, and dry slopes throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils and full sun to partial shade, making it an excellent choice for dry prairie gardens and native shrub borders.
This low-growing shrub typically reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and features slender, woody stems and alternate, toothed leaves with prominent veins. In late spring to early summer, it produces dense, rounded clusters of tiny, fragrant white flowers that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The plant gets its common name from its use during the American Revolutionary War, when its dried leaves were used as a tea substitute.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Ceanothus americanus is a tough, drought-tolerant, and ecologically valuable shrub that provides nectar for pollinators and seeds for birds. It also improves soil health through nitrogen fixation. It pairs well with native grasses and forbs like Butterfly Weed, Prairie Dropseed, and Hoary Vervain in sunny, well-drained landscapes.
Ceanothus americanus, commonly known as New Jersey Tea, is a compact, deciduous native shrub found in prairies, open woods, rocky hillsides, and dry slopes throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils and full sun to partial shade, making it an excellent choice for dry prairie gardens and native shrub borders.
This low-growing shrub typically reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and features slender, woody stems and alternate, toothed leaves with prominent veins. In late spring to early summer, it produces dense, rounded clusters of tiny, fragrant white flowers that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The plant gets its common name from its use during the American Revolutionary War, when its dried leaves were used as a tea substitute.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Ceanothus americanus is a tough, drought-tolerant, and ecologically valuable shrub that provides nectar for pollinators and seeds for birds. It also improves soil health through nitrogen fixation. It pairs well with native grasses and forbs like Butterfly Weed, Prairie Dropseed, and Hoary Vervain in sunny, well-drained landscapes.
Ceanothus americanus, commonly known as New Jersey Tea, is a compact, deciduous native shrub found in prairies, open woods, rocky hillsides, and dry slopes throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils and full sun to partial shade, making it an excellent choice for dry prairie gardens and native shrub borders.
This low-growing shrub typically reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and features slender, woody stems and alternate, toothed leaves with prominent veins. In late spring to early summer, it produces dense, rounded clusters of tiny, fragrant white flowers that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The plant gets its common name from its use during the American Revolutionary War, when its dried leaves were used as a tea substitute.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Ceanothus americanus is a tough, drought-tolerant, and ecologically valuable shrub that provides nectar for pollinators and seeds for birds. It also improves soil health through nitrogen fixation. It pairs well with native grasses and forbs like Butterfly Weed, Prairie Dropseed, and Hoary Vervain in sunny, well-drained landscapes.
Bloom: mid-summer
Habitats: barrens with scrubby vegetation; gravel prairies; hill prairies; limestone glades; mesic to dry black soil prairies; rocky upland forests; sand prairies; sandy savannas
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: mesic to slightly dry
Plant type (height): shrub (up to 3.25 feet)
Requirements: full sun to partial sun
Soil: loam; rocky material; sand