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Tecoma stans

Image of Tecoma stans

Felder Rushing

Family

Bignoniaceae

Botanical Name

Tecoma stans

Plant Common Name

Esperanza , Yellow Trumpetbush

General Description

The delicate beauty of this heavy blooming shrub hides its cast iron constitution. Yellow trumpetbush can stand up to the worst heat of the low deserts and the humidity of the tropics. Its only limitation is sensitivity to extreme cold. The broad range of this native spans the Americas, from the arroyos of New Mexico and Arizona southward to Argentina. Unlike other desert plants, which have silver or blue gray foliage, this shrub bears lush dark green leaves.

In mild climates it may bloom nearly all year with large bundles of lemon yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. They disappear altogether for only a short time when the plant loses its leaves for one to three months in midwinter. Hummingbirds and bees of all kinds find their flowers irresistible.

Garden-grown specimens require perfectly drained soil and full sun. Few plants are so versatile. Yellow trumpetbush can serve as a background shrub, small tree, informal hedge or wildlife plant. It is a must for sustainable xeric landscapes, but responds well to moisture and fertilization in summer. Remove young seedpods to encourage robust and continual reblooming. Plants can be rejuvenated in early spring by pruning back the plant; mild winter frosts often kill the plant back to the roots to rejvenate each spring to form a small rounded plant.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 10

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 10, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tree

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    10'-25' / 3.0m - 7.6m

  • Width

    4'-10' / 1.2m - 3.0m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall, Early Winter

  • Native To

    Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, Argentina, Brazil

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Lemon Yellow

  • Fruit Color

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes