Image of Ceanothus americanus
Source: Donna Bos
image of Shrub
Ceanothus americanus
New Jersey Tea
Céanothe d'Amérique

Obsolete Names

redroot
céanothus d'Amérique
Seeds available at table Vines, Shrubs, Trees
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: White Bloom period: May - Jul
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
Hummingbird friendly Supports hummingbirds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
nitrogen fixer Fixes nitrogen in the soil
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
acidic soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Ceanothus americanus
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Ceanothus americanus

  • Celastrina ladon (Spring Azure)

Specialized Bees Supported by Ceanothus americanus

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
  • Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (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 mean: 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, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one 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.