White New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), also known as Redroot or Wild Snowball, is a deciduous shrub native to North America. This beautiful plant produces clusters of fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators, particularly hummingbirds, making it a great choice for pollinator gardens. The plant is also known for its medicinal properties and has a long history of use by Native American communities for various purposes, including as a tea substitute. The shrub grows well in a variety of soils and is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to support wildlife, add ornamental beauty to their landscapes, and create a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant garden. This packet contains 20 high-quality seeds to help you cultivate this charming, beneficial shrub in your own garden.

Key Features:

• 20 Premium Seeds: The packet contains 20 high-quality White New Jersey Tea seeds, providing you with a great start to cultivate this wildlife-friendly shrub.
• Pollinator-Friendly: The plant’s fragrant white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and especially hummingbirds, making it an excellent addition to a pollinator garden.
• Medicinal Uses: Traditionally, the leaves and roots of White New Jersey Tea have been used to make herbal teas with purported health benefits, such as supporting the immune system and treating colds.
• Drought-Tolerant: Once established, White New Jersey Tea is highly drought-tolerant, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
• Low-Maintenance Shrub: This hardy shrub requires minimal care once established, thriving in a range of soil types and conditions, including dry or sandy soils.
• Attractive Landscape Plant: White New Jersey Tea adds beauty to the garden with its lovely white flower clusters and dark green foliage, perfect for creating a natural, wildlife-friendly landscape.

Growing Information:

• Light Requirements: White New Jersey Tea thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers full sun for the best flowering, but it can tolerate some shade, especially in hotter climates. Aim for at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.
• Soil Preferences: This plant is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including well-drained, sandy, or loamy soils. It performs best in moderately dry to slightly moist soil and can tolerate poor soil conditions. While it prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil, it can adapt to a variety of pH levels.
• Planting Tips:
  • Indoor Start: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. The seeds should be lightly pressed into the soil and kept moist. They may benefit from a period of cold stratification (placing them in the fridge for 30 days) before planting to increase germination rates.
  • Direct Sowing: Direct sow seeds outdoors in the spring after the last frost or in the fall. Space seeds about 12-18 inches apart.
  • Germination: Germination typically occurs in 2-4 weeks. The seeds may need a little patience, as they can be slow to sprout.
• Watering Needs: Water regularly until the plant is established. Once mature, White New Jersey Tea is drought-tolerant and requires little watering beyond occasional rainfall. Overwatering should be avoided, as the plant is sensitive to soggy soil.
• Temperature: White New Jersey Tea is hardy in USDA Zones 4-9 and is tolerant of both cold winters and hot summers.
• Fertilizing: This plant does not require heavy fertilization and typically thrives in nutrient-poor soils. Applying a light layer of compost or organic mulch in early spring can help promote growth, but excess fertilization may harm the plant.
• Pruning and Care: Minimal pruning is required. However, dead or damaged stems can be cut back to encourage healthy growth. Regularly remove spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.
• Winter Care: White New Jersey Tea is quite hardy and can survive cold winters. If you live in a colder climate, consider mulching the base of the plant in the fall to protect the roots from freezing.

Benefits:

• Pollinator Attraction: The plant’s fragrant white flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, providing crucial food sources for pollinators in your garden.
• Drought Tolerance: Once established, this shrub is highly resistant to drought and can thrive in low-water conditions, making it perfect for xeriscaping or water-wise gardening.
• Medicinal Uses: The leaves and roots of White New Jersey Tea have traditionally been used to make herbal teas that were believed to have immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. It was historically used as a substitute for true tea (Camellia sinensis) in times of need.
• Erosion Control: White New Jersey Tea is also valued for its ability to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, making it a useful plant in landscaping and ecological restoration projects.
• Low-Maintenance: This shrub requires little care once established, making it a perfect choice for gardeners looking for an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant.

Growing Zones:
White New Jersey Tea is hardy in USDA Zones 4-9, making it suitable for most temperate and subtropical climates. It thrives in regions with cold winters and hot summers, and it can tolerate a range of soil conditions, including dry, sandy, or poor soils.

How to Use in the Garden:

• Pollinator Garden: White New Jersey Tea is an excellent addition to any pollinator garden, providing food for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
• Wildlife Habitat: Its fragrant flowers and dense foliage create an inviting environment for wildlife. It’s perfect for creating a wildlife-friendly garden or a native plant garden.
• Native Landscaping: Use this native shrub in your landscape for its natural beauty, low-maintenance care, and erosion control benefits. It blends well with other native plants in natural or wildflower gardens.
• Herb and Medicinal Garden: If you are interested in growing herbs for medicinal purposes, White New Jersey Tea makes a valuable addition, offering both beauty and potential health benefits in the form of its tea-like leaves and roots.

Conclusion:
White New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a versatile, hardy shrub that will thrive in a variety of garden settings. With its attractive white flowers, fragrant aroma, and ability to attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, this plant is perfect for any garden looking to support wildlife and provide natural beauty. Additionally, its medicinal properties and drought tolerance make it a highly functional addition to your landscape. Whether you're looking to add beauty to your garden or create a habitat for pollinators, White New Jersey Tea is an excellent choice. Plant these 20 seeds today and enjoy the many benefits this wonderful shrub has to offer.