Plant Names
Ceanothus americanus
New Jersey Tea
Céanothe d'Amérique
Synonyms
redroot
céanothus d'Amérique
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Period: May - Jul
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Does not spread uncontrollably
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Supports hummingbirds
Butterfly host
Fixes nitrogen in the soil
Tolerates:
Tolerates salt conditions
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
New Jersey Tea is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub that thrives in hot, dry conditions and is drought tolerant thanks to its deep root system. It should remain undisturbed once fully established. The plant forms lovely fragrant white flowers that add visual and olfactory interest to a sunny garden. It prefers a spot which is out of the wind, such as against a south-facing wall. It is easy to grow under the right conditions.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Thrives in Ecozones
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Ceanothus americanus
-
Celastrina ladon
Spring Azure - Azur Printanier -
Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria
Blackberry looper - Arpenteuse des ronces
Specialized Bees Supported by Ceanothus americanus
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
- Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow by February
- Stratification duration: 60 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Pour boiling water over seeds and soak for 24 hrs.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: September
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
- Harvesting:
- Open the pod, remove seeds
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.
Canadensis