Tecoma, also known as cape honeysuckle, is a versatile and resilient evergreen plant that can thrive as a climbing vine, border plant, shrub, or ground cover. The vibrant clusters of tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, and more, measuring about 2 inches in length, adorn this plant during the late summer, fall, and winter seasons. With ideal conditions, cape honeysuckle can reach an impressive height of 30 feet.
Tecoma’s enchanting flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds and various species of bees, making it an excellent choice for attracting these delightful visitors to your garden. Following the flowering season, bean-like pods appear, albeit in modest quantities. During cold weather, the plant sheds its leaves and ceases to bloom, highlighting its adaptability to changing climates.
Unlike many other desert plants characterized by silver or blue-gray foliage, Tecoma stands out with its lush mid-green leaves, providing a refreshing contrast. This evergreen marvel boasts several stunning varieties, each with its unique characteristics. Let’s explore a few of them:
Key Takeaways
Orange Jubilee – A Celebration of Colors
This large and fast-growing shrub, appropriately named Orange Jubilee, has lush green foliage and bursts of orange flowers that bloom throughout most of the year. It thrives in full or reflected sun and requires minimal water to flourish. Additionally, Orange Jubilee attracts beautiful hummingbirds, further enhancing the vibrant ambiance of your garden. Also known as Orange Bells, Orange Trumpet Bush, or Orange Esperanza, this shrub is a testament to joy and festivity.
Bells of Fire – Red Perfection
Tecoma Red, also known as Bells of Fire, offers a fiery display of red-orange blooms during the hottest summer months. This particular Tecoma hybrid is the first red-flowering variety introduced to the market and remains the most compact option, growing to a height of approximately 3-5 feet. Although it tolerates partial shade, Bells of Fire thrives in full sun. With fewer seed pods and self-shedding spent flowers, this hybrid requires minimal maintenance to keep flowering throughout the season.
Godi-chodi – Joy in Yellow
Donning bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers, the Godi-chodi Tecoma variety captivates with its early flowering, heat tolerance, vigor, and pest resistance. The flowers form stunning clusters at the tips and forks of the branches, lending the plant its unique name, Yellow Bells. The flowering season extends from early summer to late fall, providing a long-lasting splash of color. Pruning after flowering helps maintain its compactness, and the chocolate brown “bean type” capsules add an intriguing allure.
Pink Elegance
Tecoma Pink, an evergreen climber, adorns itself with an abundance of pink trumpet-shaped flowers during spring and summer. This fast-growing variety is perfect for covering fences or bare walls, adding a touch of grace to any space. Its hardiness makes it suitable even for coastal conditions. Thriving in full sun to part shade, Tecoma Pink is a stunning addition to any garden landscape.
Caring for Tecoma
Tecoma is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. To ensure its optimal growth, consider the following care guidelines:
- Water tecoma plants deeply about once a week, allowing the soil to slightly dry out between waterings.
- Apply any organic fertilizer every two months to nourish the plants.
- Train climbing vine tecoma plants on trellises or other supporting objects using plant ties.
- Maintain the shape of shrubs by pruning long or unruly branches back to a side branch or bud using sharp pruning shears.
- In the springtime, before new growth begins, remove old, damaged, or dead branches at their base.
Tecoma’s trumpet-shaped blossoms, with their vivid yellow hue, grace the plant during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. In areas with hard frost, it thrives as a shrub, whereas mild climates allow it to grow as a tree reaching heights of up to 25 feet. Regardless of the name you prefer, Tecoma is a resilient and visually stunning addition to any flower garden.
To purchase Tecoma plants or seeds, as well as other flower plants and seeds, visit the Ames Farm Center.
When cultivating Tecoma, ensure you have nutrient-rich soil by browsing our selection of high-quality soil and fertilizers. Additionally, enhance your garden landscape with decorative pebbles, available for purchase. For a touch of elegance, check out our range of durable and lightweight planters, perfect for balconies, patios, walls, fences, and window sills.
Embark on a journey of color, beauty, and joy with Tecoma – an evergreen marvel of nature.
Images courtesy of Ames Farm Center.
