Tecoma spp.
trumpetbushes
Warmer Americas (southern United States through South America) and southern and eastern Africa
Overview
Tecoma spp. is a genus of about 14 evergreen to semi-evergreen shrubs and small trees in the family Bignoniaceae, the trumpetbushes, native to the Americas and southern Africa. Plants range from 3 ft (0.9 m) shrubs to trees 25 ft (7.6 m) tall, with opposite, pinnately compound leaves bearing toothed leaflets. From spring through autumn, and nearly year-round in frost-free climates, the stems carry clusters of tubular, five-lobed trumpet flowers 1.5-2.5 in (4-6 cm) long in bright yellow, orange, or red. T. stans, yellow bells, is the species most often planted, a fast-growing yellow-flowered shrub of the southern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. Tubular brown seed capsules 4-8 in (10-20 cm) long follow the flowers and split to release winged seeds. The flowers draw hummingbirds and bees. T. stans self-seeds freely and has naturalized as a weed in parts of Africa, Australia, and the Pacific. The genus needs warmth and well-drained soil and is damaged or killed by hard frost.
Native Range
Tecoma spp. is native to the warmer parts of the Americas, from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, and South America, with two species native to southern and eastern Africa. T. stans grows naturally on rocky slopes, scrub, and open woodland of the arid Southwest and the American tropics. Several populations elsewhere are naturalized rather than native.Suggested Uses
Grown as a flowering shrub, clipped or informal hedge, container plant, and small patio tree in warm climates, and as a hummingbird and pollinator plant. In frost-prone areas it is kept in containers and overwintered under cover. Spaced 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) apart as a shrub or hedge.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 25'
Width/Spread3' - 15'
Bloom Information
Tecoma spp. flowers over a long warm season, from spring into autumn in temperate-margin climates and nearly year-round where frost is absent. The trumpet-shaped flowers open in flushes at the branch tips, heaviest after rain and warmth. Flowering on T. stans begins within the first year from seed.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Yellow, orange, to redFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Tecoma spp. grows in full sun in well-drained soil and tolerates heat, drought once established, and a soil pH from about 6.0 to 8.0. Plants flower most freely in poor to moderate soils and may grow leafy with few flowers in rich, overwatered ground. Most species are hardy only in USDA zones 8-11 and are cut back or killed by hard frost, though T. stans resprouts from the base after a mild freeze. Few serious pests affect the genus, though spider mites and scale appear in dry indoor conditions. Self-seeding can be heavy, which has led to weedy spread outside the native range.Pruning
Plants are cut back hard in late winter to shape the shrub and renew dense flowering growth. Spent seed capsules are removed to limit self-seeding. Frost-damaged stems are trimmed to live wood once new growth resumes in spring.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons