Audubon® New Jersey Tea

A rocky, barren patch of land or an unmowable hillside comes alive when you plant New Jersey Tea! This tough native Accent endures drought and fixes its own nitrogen (it feeds itself!), so it can thrive where other plants fail. It also feeds bees and countless other pollinators when its cloudlike white blooms erupt in early summer. Hummingbirds feed on some of the smaller pollinating insects, adding valuable protein to their usual diet of nectar. New Jersey Tea’s handsome foliage hosts around 40 species of caterpillars, too, which in turn nourish songbirds and their chicks.

New Jersey Tea is native to not only New Jersey, but most of the eastern half of the United States. It gets the other part of its name from its leaves, which have a wintergreen flavor and can be brewed into a refreshing, caffeine-free herbal tea. New Jersey Tea has several other uses and pet names, such as “Red Root,” because of its taproot, which yields a red dye. That thick, deep-growing taproot enables the plant to survive when fire strikes, an important adaptation in the western part of its range, where fires were once more common.

In rural areas, Turkey and Quail may feed on New Jersey Tea’s seeds in late summer. They must time their visits just right, however, because the seed capsules burst open when the seeds are ripe, flinging them away from the parent plant!

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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