Care of the shrub Ceanothus americanus or New Jersey tea |
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The genus Ceanothus, family Rhamnaceae, includes more than 50 species of shrubs and small trees native to Central and North America. Some species are: Ceanothus americanus, Ceanothus griseus, Ceanothus arboreus, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Ceanothus delilianus, Ceanothus coeruleus, Ceanothus rigidus, Ceanothus papillosus. Common names: New Jersey tea, Jersey tea ceanothus, Mountain sweet, Red root. This species is native to USA and Canada. They are slow-growing evergreen shrubs that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. The leaves are oval and green with hairs that give them a silver tone. The small bluish-white flowers appear in very showy erect clusters. They bloom in spring. They are used on dry slopes, on rockeries, to form bushy groups, as isolated specimens and in pots at least 60 cm (1.96 feet) deep. The dried leaves are used to prepare a tea that became very popular during the American Revolution. Ceanothus americanus grows in full sun or semi-shade exposures. They resist frost well. The soil must be very well drained; they grow well in poor, sandy or rocky soils. The planting is done in spring. They do not resist well the pot transplant. Water moderately all year long, waiting for the substrate to dry completely. They do not need fertilizer. Prune faded flowers to favor the next flowering. They are resistant plants to the habitual plagues and diseases but sensitive to the excess of irrigation. They are propagated by tender or semi-woody cuttings and from seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the shrub Ceanothus americanus or New Jersey tea |
 Ceanothus americanus  Ceanothus americanus  Ceanothus americanus |