Ceanothus herbaceus aka Redroot

Ceanothus herbaceus is a small shrub in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. Common names include inland New Jersey tea and prairie redroot. Its native range spans central and eastern Canada to Coahuila, Mexico. It grows in temperate regions. In the central United States, it grows in open glades. Other habitats include rocky prairie slopes and sandy hills. In Missouri, it occurs mostly in the west and is uncommon.

This upright shrub sheds its leaves each year. It reaches about 3 feet [0.91 metres] tall. Its spread reaches about 2 feet [0.61 metres]. New shoots grow in spring on thin stems. Their bark ranges from green to reddish. The glossy leaves have clear veins and toothed edges. Their shape ranges from oval to narrow and pointed. Leaves measure about 0.08–0.17 feet [0.025–0.051 metres] long. They measure about 0.04–0.08 feet [0.013–0.025 metres] across.

Small white flowers bloom from April through June. They form dense, rounded groups at the stem tips. Each group can span 0.25 feet [0.076 metres]. These flower clusters give the shrub its main floral display. The plant draws butterflies and birds to the garden. Its modest size suits places where a larger shrub would crowd. The white blooms stand above the glossy green leaves.

Grow this shrub in full sun with good soil drainage. It accepts light shade but grows best with more sun. Alkaline soil suits it best. Soil moisture can range from dry to medium. Once settled, the plant can withstand drought. Its roots grow deep and spread widely through the soil. Avoid moving or disturbing it once those roots have formed. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–8 and needs little upkeep.

Use it in rock gardens, gravel beds, or native plantings. It also suits areas allowed to grow in a natural style. Dry, rocky slopes and banks offer other useful planting sites. It tolerates shallow, rocky ground and helps resist soil erosion. These traits suit sunny sites where many garden plants struggle. Missouri Botanical Garden lists no known pest or disease problems. Deer and rabbits, however, feed readily on this shrub.