Flaming Bells Tecoma fulva subsp. guarume
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Bignonia alata
- Bignonia guarume
- Tecoma alata
- Tecomaria alata
- Tecoma stans 'Orange Jubilee'
- Phonetic Spelling
- Ta-COH-ma FULL-vah gwah-ROO-me
- Description
-
Orange bells is a broadleaf, evergreen, perennial shrub or small tree that has clusters of bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is native to the American tropics, including Florida and the Caribbean. The genus name, Tecoma, is derived from the Nahuatl name "tecomaxochitl," meaning “tubular flower.” The specific epithet is Latin for "tawny orange" and refers to the color of the flower. The subspecific epithet is derived from an indigenous name.
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 shrub grows from 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. 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 nectar of the flowers attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and many other creatures. Orange bells is the larval host for the plebeian sphinx moth (Paratrea plebeja).
In colder climates, orange bells is often grown on patios in containers. In the landscape, it 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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Orange Jubilee'
Orange/red flowers
- 'Orange Jubilee'
- 'Orange Jubilee'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Orange Jubilee'
Orange/red flowers
- 'Orange Jubilee'
- 'Orange Jubilee'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tecoma
- Species:
- fulva subsp. guarume
- Family:
- Bignoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Peru and Northern Chile
- Distribution:
- USA: AL, AZ, CA, FL, NV,NM, TX
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts hummingbirds, other birds, and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are long narrow brown capsules. When the capsules are mature they break open and release the seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers that are arranged in clusters.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are glossy green, opposite, pinnately compound with serrate edges.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Description:
- The stems are brownish-gray, and stem lenticels are present.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
