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New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea is a low-growing shrub with deep roots, making it quite drought-tolerant but difficult to transplant. It produces delicate white flowers that attract many pollinators.

USDA symbol: CEAM

General Information

Plant TypeShrub
Height2 to 3 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorWhite
New Jersey Tea (New Jersey Tea<div><em class="small">Ceanothus americanus</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceLow
General Resilience5
Salt ToleranceHigh
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, Fire Tolerant

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsJune to July
Larval Host ofBees, Butterflies, Moths
Specific Pollinators HostedAncylis semiovana, Apodrepanulatrix liberaria, Erastria coloraria, Erynnis martialis, Protandrena pauper
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeRain Garden, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism8
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationDeep
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Ramsey, Redwood, Rice, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands