Tecoma stans

Common Names

Yellow Bells, Esperanza, Yellow Elder, Trumpet Bush, Yellow Trumpbush, Trumpet Flower, Ginger-Thomas

Summary

Yellow Bells is native to the Americas and grows as an evergreen shrub or small tree, typically 10–25 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide. It features opposite or subopposite, odd-pinnately compound leaves with 5–13 serrated leaflets and clusters of bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers; long seed capsules follow flowering.

In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, tolerates drought and thrives in clay, loam, or sand. Hardiness is in USDA zones 9–11. It is commonly used as a specimen or in borders, hedges, and road dividers, and can be planted in medians, parking lot islands, decks, or patios; propagation is by seed or cuttings, and pruning after flowering helps maintain structure and boost blooms. It is relatively pest-free, though occasional aphids or scale may occur, and may be invasive in some regions.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

10-30 feet

Spread

10-20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil; any soil type, as long as drainage is good.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

No specific ideal pH; tolerates acidic to alkaline soils.

Bloom Color

Bright yellow

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Foliage Color

Green, including bright green, dark green, glossy green, olive green, and yellowish green to dark green, with a lighter color below.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change; evergreen foliage remains green year-round.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Other pollinators