NEW JERSEY TEA aka Red Root is native plant to most of the US and Canada. This a tough as nails perennial shrub that is drought, fire, flood tolerant due to its deep root system. This plant is also nitrogen fixing, improving the soil in it's area. New Jersey Tea prefers a spot with part shade to all shade. These have a long life span, and are pretty much carefree after established. The dried leaves have been used to make tea for hundreds of years. They usually get about 2-3 ft tall and about 2-3 ft around. They do best in a dry, well draining soil, but will grow just about anywhere. These plants are not picky, and do best when left alone, my kind of plant! The white flower clusters appear in march and April and will attract birds, butterflies and bees. This is also the host plant for several species of butterflies, including-spring and summer Azure and the mottled Duskywing.
Some American Native Wildflower seeds need to go through a cold winter to germinate. This plant is one of them. They do this so the seed won’t sprout in fall, only to have the seedling not make it through a cold winter. I have stratified these seeds to simulate a cold winter(stratification) This raises the germination rate considerably. Thanks for looking!!