Have you checked out our demonstration gardens recently? We have one dedicated to native plants for tea! The native plants in this garden have been used by indigenous peoples for centuries, either as brewed teas or for medicinal uses.
After the Boston Tea Party of 1773, colonists turned to their gardens, nature and indiginous peoples for substitutes for their beloved black tea.
With ingredients like sassafras bark, monarda flowers, raspberry leaves, and dried fruits, the new ‘Liberty Teas’ gained popularity across the colonies and even became one of our countries first exports.
Blooms Aplenty!
There is nothing boring about a tea garden — depending on the plants you select, you can have blooms all season long. Here are some photos taken in July 2026.
Pollinators Love the Tea Garden
Remember, when you plant any garden, you are also planting it for the pollinators! You may even find specialist pollinators if you keep a close eye out. Our garden has hosted several kinds of bumblebees, honeybees, fritillaries, butterflies, and even ants.
Native Plants to Use in Your Tea Garden
Below is a listing of species planted in our tea garden. There are many more to choose from. We selected mostly perennial plants, but there are trees and shrubs that bear fruits and berries suitable for teas.
Ready to Make Tea?
If you are interested in learning how to make teas from these plants, be sure to consult a reputable resource. Two excellent reference books on the subject are Native American Medicinal Plants by Daniel E. Moerman, or Native American Ethnobotany, also by Daniel E. Moerman.
