New Jersey Tea

About New Jersey Tea

New Jersey Tea is a compact, resilient shrub with a rich history, its leaves having served as a tea substitute during the American Revolution. Reaching a tidy 3 feet in height and width, this deciduous native is perfect for smaller landscapes or as a low-growing hedge. In mid-summer, it is smothered in frothy, cylindrical clusters of tiny white flowers that emit a delicate fragrance and act as a magnet for a wide array of pollinators. Native to open woodlands and prairies across much of the eastern and central United States, it is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established due to its deep, woody root system. It is an ecological powerhouse, serving as a larval host for the Mottled Duskywing butterfly and attracting hummingbirds and specialized bees. As a nitrogen-fixing plant, it naturally improves the health of the surrounding soil. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, and is notably resistant to deer browsing. A light pruning in early spring will help maintain its attractive, rounded form.