Jersey Tea
Ceanothus herbaceus
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © colindjones (iNaturalist #8619869)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Genus:
- Ceanothus
- Species:
- Ceanothus herbaceus
- USDA Symbol:
- CEHE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 91 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Broad-lined Erastria (Erastria coloraria), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Leconte's haploa (Haploa lecontei), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), ⚠️Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus) Butterflies:Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; seeds germinate well in post-fire conditions.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (hot water or mechanical) followed by cold stratification for 60-90 days.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)