Yellow Bells Plant

Last Updated on April 27, 2023 by Paul Guzman

The Yellow Bells Scientific Name: Bignoniaceae.
Also called the Esperanza plant (Spanish – Hope) or the Yellow Tecoma Stans.  It does best in full sun but can tolerate some shade. Dark green leaves and beautiful yellow Trumpet flowering blooms in spring into mid-summer. Fast-growing in the desert southwest. It can grow up to 5-6 ft. tall and 5 ft. wide. The best thing about this plant is that it will bloom from late spring until mid-fall. No deadheading or pruning is necessary.

Is it Drought Tolerant?

Yes, once established it requires low to moderate watering. It will bloom all summer long but will lose its foliage during the winter months.  It is a tuff perennial that many local City, State, and County landscapers used for its resiliency and prolific flowering attributes.  It is native throughout South-Central Texas, West Arizona, and southwest New Mexico.

It will grow about 4 or 6 ft. tall within 3-4 years.  Water more often in the first 2-3 years for quicker growth.

Where to Place the Yellow Bells Plant?

Place three or four in a row for a great border plant.  They do well in rock gardens or xeriscaping landscapes.  They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Maintenance – There is some maintenance involved. You will need to clean up the seed pods after blooms have expired, usually around late October.  Cut them back during the winter seasons or early spring and they will grow back quickly and start to bloom in late spring or early summer-a great plant for Southwest Landscape. 

Close-up of Yellow Bells Flower.

Another close-up view of the bright yellow Tecoma Stans trumpet-like flower.

There are also the Bells of fire type from Monrovia.  A compact variety – with fiery red-orange blooms. It is a heat and sun-loving shrub that will explode with warm color.  It will bloom from spring until the first frost. Self-cleaning, and rarely sets seed pods. See the photo of this plant at Monrovia.com

USDA zones 7-10.

Problems with the Yellow Bells Plant

The Tecoma Stans is basically a trouble-free easy maintenance plant.  Caterpillars will munch on their flowers or the new leaf growth towards the top of the plant. Spraying with Bacillus thuringiensis will kill worms on any plant.  It is safe to use around humans and pets.  You can read more here.