Ceanothus americanus 'New Jersey Tea'

Ceanothus americanus, also known as New Jersey Tea or Redroot, is a deciduous shrub native to North America. It's a member of the Rhamnaceae family and it's known for its small, white flowers that bloom in clusters in early to mid-summer. The plant typically reaches a height of 2-4 feet and a width of 3-4 feet.

The leaves of Ceanothus americanus are opposite, simple and oval-shaped, with smooth edges. They are typically 1-2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. The leaves are dark green on the top and paler green on the bottom.

The plant produces clusters of small, white, 5-petaled flowers that bloom in early to mid-summer. The flowers are about 1/2 inch wide, and they are arranged in clusters at the ends of the branches. They are followed by small, round, fruit capsules that are green to brown in color.

Ceanothus americanus is a hardy and adaptable plant that is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including sandy, clay and rocky soils. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils. It's a great choice for wildlife gardens, naturalized areas, and erosion control. It's also used as a nectar source for bees and butterflies and it's a host plant for some butterfly species.

Photo attributions:

Photo 1: User:JohnOyston, CC BY-SA 1.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0>, via Wikimedia Commons 

Photos 2 & 3:  H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons