Other Names:  Esperanza, Trumpetbush, Trumpetflower, Yellowbells, Yellow Bells, Yellow Bignonia, Yellow Elder, Yellow Trumpetbush, Yellow Trumpetflower, Bignonia stans, Stenolobium stans, Tecoma stans var. angustatum

A butterfly and hummingbird's dream plant, Tecoma stans, what we call the Yellow Bells Trumpet Bush, is a heat-loving semi-tropical native shrub or small tree featuring abundant clusters of showy, 2-inch long, lightly fragrant, bright golden-yellow trumpet flowers all season long from spring through fall, and year round in warmer climates. In frost-free climates of USDA Zones 9-11 it reaches about 10 feet tall and equally as wide and retains its foliage through winter. Lower branches can be removed to form an attractive multi or single stem small tree. In Zones 7b-9a, where frosts and freezing temperatures occur, the plant might reach 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, and much like Lantana will die back to the ground during winter with new growth emerging from the base of the plant in spring. It is excellent for growing in containers that can be situated on or around patios and other outdoor sitting and living spaces, which can also be brought indoors to a heated and well-lit space during the winter. Heat and drought tolerant when established, and deer resistant, Yellow Bells Trumpet Bush is a stunning accent with prolonged blooming and a brilliant floral display that will bring a tropical look and feel to sunny landscape or garden beds.

 

Note: For our customers who live and garden North of USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 9b, where Tecoma is not reliably winter hardy, you'll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter to a well-lit heated space and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Yellow Bells Trumpet Bush is easy to grow in mast any moist but well drained soil of average or better fertility and full to mostly sun for best flowering. It has moderate drought tolerance when established. The shrub benefits from being allowed to dry out between waterings. No pruning necessary however deadheading can encourage heavier blooming through the season. In warmer climates where it is an evergreen, lower branches can be removed to form a multi or single stem tree. It can also be trimmed through the season for shaping purpose or to maintain a smaller plant. When growing outdoors it is evergreen in USDA Zones 9-11, however will die back to the ground in Zone 7-9 where temperatures drop much below 32F, with new growth usually reemerging from the base of the plant in spring. If you're worried about it surviving the winter outdoors in your area but would still enjoy having this wonderful plant, plant in a container that can be overwintered in a well-lit, heated interior space. 

Caution: Because there have been reports of allergic reactions to the sap from this plant we recommend avoiding consumption and wearing gloves when pruning to avoid coming into contact with the sap.