New Jersey Tea — Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a compact, rounded native shrub with fragrant white flower clusters from late spring into summer. Yellow young twigs and broad, toothed leaves with gray, hairy undersides add texture to the planting.

Native to eastern North America, including Georgia, this shrub is a host plant for Mottled Duskywing, Spring Azure, and Summer Azure butterflies, along with several moths. It brings flowers and habitat value to native and wildlife gardens.

Growing details

• Plant type: Shrub
• Origin: Eastern North America; Georgia native
• Mature height: 3–4 feet
• Mature spread: 4–5 feet
• Spacing: Approximately 4 feet apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 4–8
• Light: Full sun to part sun
• Soil: Dry to medium, well-drained soil
• Flowers: Fragrant white clusters
• Bloom season: Late spring into summer

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance shrub is drought resistant and needs well-drained soil. Use as an accent, in grouped plantings, borders, sunny woodland edges, wildlife gardens, foundation beds, hedges, or suitably sized containers.

Pair with beardtongue or golden Alexanders where growing conditions suit each plant. Learn more about native host plants in the Georgia butterflies brochure.

Image credits: H. Zell, Ceanothus americanus 001 and Ceanothus americanus 002, CC BY-SA 3.0. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.