Once established, it displays impressive drought tolerance, making it ideal for water-wise gardens.
New Jersey Tea is a shrub native to most of eastern North America. Thriving in full sun to light shade, it adapts well to various soil types, including well-draining sandy, loamy, and rocky soils. Once established, it displays impressive drought tolerance, making it ideal for water-wise gardens. This deciduous shrub grows to a compact 2 to 3 feet in height and spread. Its oval-shaped, bright green leaves turn yellow or reddish in fall, while its fragrant, creamy-white to pale pink flowers appear in late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. New Jersey Tea get its name from the time of the American Revolution when this plant's leaves were used as a temporary imported tea substitute.