What hardiness zones is Tecoma x 'Orange Jubilee' suitable for?

'Orange Jubilee' is a hybrid Tecoma cultivar reaching 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) tall and 6-10 feet (1.8-3.0 m) wide, with multiple upright stems forming a fountain-shaped shrub. Compound pinnate leaves are 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long with 5-13 lance-shaped, serrated leaflets, each 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, glossy medium green. Tubular orange to amber-orange flowers, 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long, are produced in terminal clusters of 6-15 blooms. Flowering occurs from late spring through fall in warm climates, peaking in summer. Growth rate fast: established plants put on 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) of new growth per season. Hardy to about 25°F (-4°C); foliage damages below 28°F (-2°C) and the plant dies back to roots in zone 8b winters. Evergreen in zones 10-11 and semi-evergreen to deciduous in zones 8b-9. Slender seed pods 3-5 inches (7.5-13 cm) form on plants of true Tecoma stans parentage; 'Orange Jubilee' produces few viable seeds. Suckers from the base in irrigated soils, producing thicket growth within 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) of the trunk over 3-5 years.

Native Range

A hybrid of horticultural origin between Tecoma stans (native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America) and Tecoma alata (native to Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina). The hybrid is not found in the wild; cultivated since the 1990s in the southwestern United States.

Suggested Uses

Used as a screen, hedge, or large specimen in southwestern landscapes, spaced 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) apart for screening. Planted along walls and fences where the upright fountain habit fills vertical space. Grows in containers of at least 20 gallons (76 L), though container plants reach only 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) and require pruning twice annually.

How to Identify

Tubular orange to amber-orange flowers, 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long, distinguish 'Orange Jubilee' from yellow-flowered Tecoma stans cultivars and from red-flowered selections. Flower color is intermediate between the parent species rather than the deep red of T. alata. Pinnate leaves with 5-13 serrated leaflets, each 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, separate Tecoma from similar tubular-flowered shrubs. Multi-stemmed fountain habit reaches 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m), taller than dwarf cultivars such as 'Bells of Fire' (4-6 feet / 1.2-1.8 m).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 12'

Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

orange

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~30 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

April through November in zones 9-11; June through October in zone 8b where dieback occurs. Individual flower clusters last 2-3 weeks; flowering is continuous through warm months because new clusters open on new wood. Bloom slows or stops below 60°F (16°C) and during summer monsoon humidity peaks. Heavy seed pod set on stressed plants reduces flower production for 4-6 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

orange to amber-orange

Foliage Description

medium green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply once a week during the first growing season; established plants tolerate 2-3 weeks without rain in zones 9-11. Apply 2 inches (5 cm) of organic mulch in spring; reapply annually. Aphids and whiteflies feed on new growth in late spring; populations decline as temperatures rise above 95°F (35°C). Root suckers emerge 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) from the main stems on plants over 4 years old. In zone 8b, cut frost-damaged stems to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) above ground in late February. Container-grown plants in pots smaller than 15 gallons (57 L) require summer watering every 2-3 days in temperatures above 100°F (38°C).

Pruning

Prune to shape in late winter before new growth, removing crossing branches and reducing the previous year's growth by one-third to one-half. Tip-pinch new shoots in early spring to encourage branching and increase flower cluster numbers. Remove suckers at ground level as they appear; suckers left in place form a thicket within 3-4 years. Hard renewal pruning to 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) every 5-7 years restores plants that have become woody at the base.

Pruning Schedule

winterearly spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 20 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic