NJ Tea

NJ Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Family: Rhamnaceae

Phonetic spelling: noo-JER-zee tee

By Talia Gould

Description:

New Jersey Tea is a deciduous native perennial around 3 feet in height and a keystone species. It is found in sandy solids of open woodlands and prairies and on rocky hillsides in the wild and is native to the western and eastern United States. This plant features fragrant white flower clusters that bloom May to July and leaves that can be used for tea. It is highly drought tolerant and moderately deer resistant. Under severe drought conditions, the leaves will become discolored and weak which will subside when moisture is introduced. Additionally, it has many ecological benefits: Rabbits and other wildlife may graze on New Jersey tea especially when it is young, while turkey and quail eat the fruit. The flowers attract bees, wasps, butterflies and moths, collecting nectar from the flowers and for bees, pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Celestina neglecta and Erynnis martialis feed on the flowers, flower buds, and fruit of the shrub. 

New Jersey Tea was traditionally used by Native American tribes for its treatment of bowel troubles, and was recently discovered to have roots containing a blood-clotting agent. 

The shrub grows in partial shade with dry to average moisture levels, and well-drained soil. The plant cannot survive exposure to temperatures below negative 28 degrees but can be grown as an ornamental plant specifically on dry sites. 

Plant Details

• Growing Conditions:
  • USA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9.
  • Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full sun.
  • Soil Preferences: Well drained soil, Acidic, Slightly acidic.
  • Soil Texture: Loam, Organic, Sandy.
  • Soil Moisture: Dry.
  • Pruning & Maintenance: Low maintenance. NJ tea can be left to grow naturally or a rejuvenative method of pruning can be used by cutting back to the ground in early spring.
  • Bloom Time: May to July.
  • Recommended Propagation Strategy: Root division in the fall, cuttings, seed in spring. Seed should be planted outside in the fall or early winter with full sun. Spring plantings can be improved by submerging seed in 180 F* water the night before, allowing seeds to soak.
  • Straight Species Size: 3-4’ high x 3-4’ wide.
• Ecological Services:
  • Food Source: For caterpillars, rabbit, elk, deer, turkey, quail, American Goldfinches, House Finches, New World Sparrows
  • Cover & Nesting: Because of the dense, low-growing attribute it provides nesting sites and protective cover to low-nesting songbirds: American Goldfinches, House finches, various New World sparrows.
  • Beneficial Insects & Birds: Native mining bees depend on its pollen to feed their young. Attracts bumblebees, Sweat bees and Yellow-faced bees. Attracts Flower Longhorn Beetles, Soldier Beetles, Weevils, and hoverflies.
  • Larval Host: Larval host plant for at least 40 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars.
    • Caterpillars:
      • Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
      • Spring Azure & Summer Azure (Celastrina ladon & Celastrina neglecta)
    • Moths:
      • Broad-lined Erastria
      • Sulfur Moth
      • Red fronted Emerald
      • Crocus Geometer
      • Red-humped Caterpillar
      • Cecropia Silkmoth
• Insects, Diseases or Problems: Foliar disease is a rare problem. Susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew. Moderately deer resistant when mature.