Esperanza

Esperanza, Tecoma

It’s difficult not to be impressed by this prolific blooming Texas native. It blooms almost all season long, producing bright, sunny yellow, orange and almost-red flowers that emit a sweet scent. Esperanza is guaranteed to attract hummingbirds to the garden.

Growing

Esperanza thrives in full sun. Partial shade is tolerated in sandy sites in limestone conditions. Fertile, moist, well-drained soil with added organic matter is best, but plants can thrive equally well in heavier clay soils. Regardless of its drought tolerance, esperanza benefits from supplemental watering during long, dry spells, or flowering will come to a halt.

Tips

Esperanza can be used in mixed beds and borders as a background plant. It is especially stunning when planted with other fiery-blooming plants, or with cool-colored flowers and foliage including lantana, sun-loving coleus varieties, tropical butterfly weed and hibiscus.

Recommended

T. stans (Bignonia stans, Stenolobium stans) is an open shrub or small tree that is often grown as an annual in the cooler parts of the state. This species produces bright green foliage and funnel-shaped, lemon yellow, pendulous flowers that can reach 4" in length. The flowers emerge in spring and continue through fall. ‘Gold Star’ is slightly smaller compared to the species and blooms much earlier and heavier. There are many new cultivars with orange-colored blooms.

Also called: yellow bells

Features: bright yellow, orange or orange-red flowers; decorative foliage; shrub-like growth habit

Height: 3–5'

Spread: 3–4'

Note: In warmer parts of Texas, esperanza may survive winter; plants are top hardy in zone 9 and above, and root hardy in zone 8.