Tecoma alata

Orange Bells is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that has clusters of bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers. The flowers are present from late spring until the first frost. The flowers bloom all year round in warmer climates. The shrub grows from 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. The plant is a member of the Bigoniaceae or Trumpet Creeper Family which are mostly tropical trees or shrubs. There appears to be some confusion in the literature regarding the shrub's scientific botanical name. Other common names include Flaming Bells, Orange Star, Orange Trumpet Bush, and Tecoma Orange Jubilee. 'Orange Jubilee' is a cultivar. One resource states that Orange Bells is the hybrid between Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) and Yellow Trumpetbush (Tecoma stans.)

Tecoma fulva subsp. guarume, which is a synonym for Tecoma alata, is native to Peru and northern Chile. The shrub is hardy from USDA zones 8a to 11b.

The origin of the genus name, Tecoma, is a contraction of the Mexican name for one of the species known as "tecomaxochitl.". The species name, alata, is Latin and means "winged or having furnished with wings."

Orange Bells prefer full sun. It will survive in partial shade, but the number of blooms will decrease. Loamy, sandy, and rocky soils are well tolerated. Heavily alkaline soils result in chlorosis causing the leaves to yellow. Young plants require frequent watering to establish their roots. Once the shrub is established, it is more drought-tolerant. They are fast-growing and leggy. Orange Bells grow more aggressively in hot and humid climates. The shrub will freeze in temperatures less than 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Pruning is recommended in the late fall or winter to control the plant's height and shape. The shrub is propagated by seeds, softwood cuttings, or stem cuttings.

The leaves are glossy green, opposite, and pinnately compound. The leaflet margins are serrated. The flowers are bright orange and appear in clusters or racemes. The fruits are long, narrow, light brown capsules containing the seeds.

The nectar of the flowers attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and many other birds.

In the landscape, Orange Bells are often grown on patios in containers in warmer climates. They may be used as an accent, border, or hedge to provide privacy and screening. 

Quick ID Hints:

• Opposite pinnately compound leaves
• Leaflets are glossy green with serrated margins
• Bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers
• Thin, elongated fruit capsules

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: 

Typically, there are no notable pests or diseases. However, in Arizona, phytophthora root fungus has been known to cause sudden death to this shrub. The leaf skeletonizer caterpillar will chew on the foliage, but the injury is merely cosmetic.