How to Care for Yellow Bell Bushes

The yellow bell bush (Tecoma stans), sometimes called esperanza, is a dense shrub popular for its tubular yellow blooms that appear from spring until frost. It grows 3 to 9 feet tall, depending on the variety planted. The yellow bell bush is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 7 through 11 but can be container-grown and moved indoors during winter in cooler regions. It does not require a lot of attention and is very tolerant of drought conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Mulch
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Dig a hole that is two times the width and the same depth as the root ball of the yellow bell bush. Plant at the same level it was growing before and replace the loosened soil. Water until the soil feels very moist to the touch.

2. Add a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch to control weeds and keep conserve moisture. Keep the mulch 6 inches from the shrub's base.

3. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry during the first month after planting. Once established, add moisture only during very dry conditions.

4. Clip off faded flowers and seed pods to encourage a longer blooming cycle and fuller growth.

5. Prune throughout the growing season to control the size and shape of the shrub. Remove dead or damaged branches as needed.

6. Cut back to the ground in early spring if the shrub is heavily damaged by winter weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant the yellow bell bush in full sun.

• The yellow bell bush can be propagated from seeds or cuttings.

• Yellow bell bushes can become invasive if allowed to spread unchecked.

References

• University of Connecticut: Yellow Bells
• Floridata: Tecoma Stans
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Tecoma Stans
• Texas A&M University: Tecoma Stans