Growing zones
See Zone Map >Status: Out of stock
New Jersey Tea is a beautiful little native with glossy green leaves and bright white bursts of flowers. Its small stature and adaptability makes it flexible in the landscape. It appreciates a well drained site and is delightfully drought tolerant once established due to its taproot. Did you know its leaves were used as a tea substitute during the American Revolution?
Photos courtesy of Garden Center Marketing.
- Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
2-3' x 2-3' 
Bloom Season:
Summer
- Attracts Birds
- Deer Resistant
- Drought Tolerant
- Native
- Walnut Toxicity Resistant
- Edible to People
- Attracts Butterflies
- Fragrant Flowers
- Fragrant Leaves
- Attracts Pollinators
Planting & Care for New Jersey Tea / Ceanothus americanus
Preparation
- Pick a sunny spot with well-drained soil for this native beauty, New Jersey Tea. While it can tolerate partial shade, it flowers best in full sun.
- This shrub prefers dry to medium soil. Avoid heavy clay or overly rich soil, as it thrives in lean conditions.
- The best time to plant is in the spring or early fall. This gives the shrub enough time to establish its roots before the extreme temperatures of summer or winter.
- Space multiple plants up to 2-3 feet apart to give them room to grow and provide airflow to prevent diseases.
- Hardiness zone 3.
Opening Plant Material
- Container - Completely saturate all container plants by putting in a larger container of water until stops bubbling, then remove the plant from the container.
Planting Containers
- Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or more wider on the sides.
- Slide plant from pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
- With shovel or knife trim bottom 2" off of the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
- Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
- Place the root ball in the hole.
- Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer
- Back-fill the hole with soil, making sure the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
- Water frequently when newly planted.
Pruning - After Planting
- Container - Although it is not essential for container plants to be pruned after planting, a light pruning to remove any broken branches during shipment and improve shape will help the looks of your new planting.
Pruning - Throughout the Season
- Pruning your New Jersey Tea isn't needed, but it can help maintain its shape, encourage healthy growth, and enhance flowering.
- Light pruning after blooming can promote a tidier appearance but is not necessary.
- Cut back any weak, broken, or dead stems to keep the plant healthy. This shrub has a naturally tidy form, so only trim lightly if needed.
-
Rejuvenation Pruning (if needed) – Every few years, you can cut back up to one-third of the oldest branches to promote vigorous growth.
Watering - After Planting
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as oft en as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the 6 week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.
Watering - Throughout the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.