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    • Photo of Ceanothus americanus by H. Zell

    Photo by H. Zell

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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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

    By: Forestfarm

    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.

    By: Prairie Nursery

    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.

    By: Accents for Home and Garden

    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

    See other plant types of Ceanothus for your garden

    Ceanothus arboreus

    aka Feltleaf Ceanothus, Island Mountain Lilac, Tree Lilac

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    8b-11

    Size

    Height: 10'-30'

    Width: 8'-15'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus arboreus form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ceanothus crassifolius

    aka Hoary Leafed Ceanothus

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 7'-12'

    Width: 7'-12'

    • sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus crassifolius form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ceanothus cyaneus

    aka Lakeside Ceanothus, San Diego Buckbrush, San Diego Mountain Lilac

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8b-10b

    Size

    Height: 10'-15'

    Width: 8'-12'

    • sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus cyaneus flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ceanothus diversifolius

    aka Pinemat

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Groundcover

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 4"-12"

    Width: 36"-72"

    • sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus diversifolius form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ceanothus greggii

    aka Desert Ceanothus

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    5b-10b

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 4'-6'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus greggii form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    More Options

    +118 more Ceanothus
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