‘Bells of Fire’ Tecoma catches everyone’s eye with its large clusters of red-orange, trumpet-shaped flowers adorning its deep-green, fern-like foliage. Besides attracting humans, hummingbirds and butterflies will flock to the stunning blossoms from mid-spring to fall, which bloom continuously until frost. All Tecoma cultivars can grow to gigantic sizes, but Bells of Fire was bred to be more compact. This water-wise shrub is drought tolerant, heat tolerant, tolerates most soils including clay soils, has a long blooming season, and is an easy-care plant. Related to our Desert Willow, this tropical-looking shrub has low water needs once established. While all Tecomas love the heat, they have frost-sensitive leaves, but their roots survive much colder temperatures. Cut back annually when new growth starts in spring to remove any frost-damaged foliage. Bells of Fire is useful as an accent, hedge, background screen, in borders, mass plantings, on slopes, and even in containers. Enjoy using their cut flowers in bouquets.
