How to Grow Esperanza
As a tropical plant from Mexico and other similarly hot regions on the American continent, esperanza (Tecoma stans) is a shrub hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and higher. The plant produces bright yellow flowers in the shape of bells, which give the bush one of its other names: yellow bells. The blooms last from spring through frost. Esperanza reaches at least 4 feet in height, growing taller and larger as the warmth of the environment increases. Reserve a site in full sun before getting a container-grown esperanza bush from the nursery. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hoe
- Tiller
- Manure
- Slow-release 19-5-9 fertilizer
- Rake
- Shovel
- Hand shears
Instructions
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1
Remove weeds, grass, rocks and any debris from the planting site. Till the ground to a depth of 10 inches.
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2
Spread a 4-inch layer of manure or other organic matter over the turned soil. Broadcast a slow-release fertilizer with a 19-5-9 analysis over the manure. Use 2 lbs. of fertilizer per 100 square feet.
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3
Till the organic amendment and the fertilizer uniformly into the soil 10 inches deep. Rake the soil surface to smooth it out.
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4
Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the esperanza's root ball. Remove enough soil to position the shrub at the same depth as it has been growing in the nursery container.
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5
Set the esperanza shrub in the center of the hole. Backfill the hole with topsoil. Tap the ground around the base of the plant to remove air pockets.
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6
Irrigate the esperanza bush to the root zone at planting. Continue to water the shrub consistently until it shows growth. Wait for the soil to dry before hydrating established esperanza shrubs.
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7
Clip the plant's seedpods with hand shears after the blooms fade to encourage the esperanza to produce additional flowers.
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