Photo of Ceanothus americanus by H. Zell

Photo by H. Zell

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Ceanothus americanus

Also Known As

  • Ceanothus
  • Mountain-sweet
  • New Jersey Tea
  • Redshank
  • Wild Snowball

Plant type

shrub

size

  • H: 2'-4'
  • W: 2'-5'

planting zones

  • 4a-9b

More Options

Ceanothus americanus plant details

Ceanothus americanus is a broadleaf deciduous shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, gritty, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ceanothus americanus

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: rhamnaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 2 FT - 5 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: culinary, hedge, native plant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ceanothus americanus

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, average, gritty, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Small shrub bearing dense clusters of white summer flowers; leaves a substitute for tea during earlier times; tough, adaptable and nitrogen-fix. S/M-D
The luxuriant glossy leaves and bright white flowers of New Jersey Tea make it a durable shrub a real winner. Plant two to three feet apart to create a low growing, drought tolerant native hedge. Ceanothus americanus is visited by hummingbirds, which eat the tiny insects that pollinate the flowers. Hardy to Zones 3 - 9.
CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS, commonly known as "Wild Mountain Snowbell" or "New Jersey Tea". A subshrub usually found on dry sunny slopes in the eastern U.S. Tightly clustered panicles of white flowers in late spring attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is the host plant for larvae of the mottled dusty wing. Hardy in zones 4-8, growing 3-4'. Leaves used to make tea.
Native shrub from Southern Canada to Southeastern US which attracts Butterflies and Hummingbird. Round 1-2" clusters of tiny white translucent, FRAGRANT flowers in feathery panicles appear at the end of stems in late Spring in long succession. The attractive fruit on this charming American species is three-lobed capsules of rich purple-black. 4" long dark green leaves. Young twigs are visibly yellow and stand out in winter. Used in the shrub border or Native Plant garden. Also useful as a tall shrubby ground cover for hard-to-grow areas such as banks and rocky slopes. The leaves, which are distinctively ribbed and have three prominent veins, are eaten by larvae of the Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis) butterfly and the Spring and Summer Azure Butterflies as well! Hummingbirds eat the tiny insects that pollinate the flowers.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Gardening facts about Ceanothus americanus plant

How to Grow Ceanothus americanus

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - dappled shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • adaptable
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rocky
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • birds
    • bees
    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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