Plant Form: Semi-deciduous shrub
Water Use: Low, Moderate
Mature Size: 4-6 ft. tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun, part sun
Bloom Time: Spring – Fall (Apr-Nov)
Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 15-20°F
Native to: Florida, Texas, W. Indies, Mexico, Central & South America
Yellow Bells, or Esperanza, impresses everyone with its large clusters of golden yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers, bending the branch tips into arches with their weight. The profuse, 1 to 2-inch-long blossoms attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their fragrance and nectar. This heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant shrub is related to our Desert Willow, while its lush deep green leaves resemble those of elderberry. Blooming occurs in flushes from late spring into fall, producing 8-inch-long string bean-like pods. Prune or pinch off old flowers and seedpods for repeat blooming and to maintain a bushy plant. Several cultivars are available with various flower colors and plant sizes from 3 to 25 feet tall. While all Yellow Bells love heat, most have frost-sensitive leaves, but their roots survive much colder temperatures. Cut back annually when new growth starts in spring to remove frost damaged foliage; plants will recover quickly. Beautiful as an accent, container plant around patios, or planted in masses in beds and borders.
THIS MONTH IN YOUR DESERT-SMART LANDSCAPE
Mid-September to mid-October starts the most important planting season of the year
- Plant native and drought-tolerant plants; warm soils helps new plants develop deep roots before summer, reducing water needs during new plants’ entire two to three year establishment period
- Fall opportunity to transplant Joshua trees and yuccas from September to October
- Reduce water to cactus and succulents to prepare them for winter rest and protect against frost damage