Yellow bells (Tecoma stans GOLD STAR)
Tecoma stans GOLD STAR, or Yellow bells, offers showy, fragrant yellow blooms from June to frost, ideal for containers or warm gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Tecoma stans GOLD STAR is highly valued by gardeners for its exceptionally long blooming season, showering the landscape with cheerful, bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers from early summer until the first frost. This cultivar is specifically noted for producing earlier and larger blooms compared to its wild Texas relatives. As a versatile broadleaf evergreen, it performs wonderfully when treated as an annual in cooler climates or as a permanent container specimen where it will thrive.
The vibrant flowering display and slightly fragrant blooms make the Tecoma stans GOLD STAR a fantastic focal point, echoing the warmth of the tropics in patio displays. While it can grow larger in ideal southern conditions, in most regions cultivation focuses on container gardening, providing flexibility for overwintering. Expect low maintenance coupled with high aesthetic impact from these Yellow bells.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Bignoniaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Spread: 2-4 ft
- Bloom Time: June to frost
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance in zones 10-11, plant Tecoma stans GOLD STAR in full sun. It requires fertile, organically rich soil that offers medium moisture retention but must be well-drained, preventing root issues. In these warmer regions, it can be integrated into garden beds, shrub borders, or maintained in containers.
Gardeners outside of the lowest hardiness zones must treat this plant as a seasonal annual or a patio container subject. In cooler areas like St. Louis, grow Yellow bells in pots that can be brought indoors to overwinter in bright, sunny rooms as houseplants. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging, adhering to medium water needs.
To encourage continuous flowering throughout the season, regularly deadhead faded blooms from your Tecoma stans GOLD STAR. Pruning should be done as needed, usually lightly after flowering has ceased for the season, especially if preparing the plant for winter storage or cutting back for the next growing season.
Landscape Uses
When grown as an annual or tender perennial, Yellow bells excels in containers set on patios, decks, or near entryways, allowing gardeners to enjoy the continuous cascade of yellow flowers up close. In their native, warmer zones (such as Southern Florida or California), Tecoma stans GOLD STAR can be massed in shrub borders or used as striking specimen plantings, contrasting beautifully with deeper green foliage.
The vibrant color pairs well with cooling blues, purples, or crisp whites in container arrangements, balancing the upright, trumpet shape of the blooms. Since the plant is noted for its extended bloom period, it serves as a reliable summer structure piece that requires minimal fuss, fitting perfectly into a low-maintenance design scheme.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tecoma stans, commonly called yellow bells, is native to the West Indies, Florida, and Mexico to South America. It is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree that features a noteworthy lengthy bloom of bright yellow tubular flowers. The cultivar GOLD STAR was discovered in Texas and is celebrated for having earlier and larger blooms than native types. In containers or as an annual, GOLD STAR typically grows 3-4’ tall, making it an excellent choice where space is a concern.
Potential Problems
This plant generally faces no serious insect or disease problems when grown outdoors. However, when overwintering Tecoma stans GOLD STAR indoors as a houseplant, gardeners should actively watch for common indoor pests such as spider mites and whiteflies. Proactive monitoring and treating these pests early will ensure the plant remains healthy until it can return outdoors.
Tolerances
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tecoma stans GOLD STAR suitable for?
Tecoma stans GOLD STAR is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11, thriving best in these warmer climates.
How large does Yellow bells grow?
When mature, this plant typically reaches a height between 3 to 5 feet, spreading 2 to 4 feet wide in optimal conditions.
When does Yellow bells bloom?
This plant provides continuous color, blooming reliably from June straight through until the first hard frost.
What sun exposure does Tecoma stans GOLD STAR need?
This cultivar requires full sun exposure to produce its best and longest display of bright yellow flowers.
Conclusion
The Tecoma stans GOLD STAR offers gardeners an unbeatable combination of low maintenance, drought tolerance (once established), and magnificent prolonged yellow flowering from June to frost. Whether you are growing it as a reliable patio annual or as a treasured container specimen that you bring indoors, this robust plant brings tropical flair to any sunny spot. Always check your local USDA zone compatibility before planting your Yellow bells directly into the landscape.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions for Tecoma stans GOLD STAR centres on matching its need for full sun and medium, well-drained soil. In containers, pair it with trailing annuals that fill out the edges, such as petunias or calibrachoa, whose cooler blues and purples will make the bright yellow flowers pop.
For in-ground plantings in southern gardens, shrubs with deep green or burgundy foliage serve as excellent foils, emphasizing the brightness of the Yellow bells blooms. Consider low-growing companion plants that handle similar sun needs, like certain varieties of Lantana or low-mounding tropical salvias, ensuring all plants share the medium water requirement.
Container Growing
Growing Tecoma stans GOLD STAR in pots is often the most practical approach for many enthusiastic gardeners, particularly those combating cold winters. Use a container large enough to support its root growth, ensuring ample drainage holes are present to manage its medium water needs effectively.
Use a premium, sterile potting mix amended with compost to provide the fertile, well-drained base this plant appreciates. Regular feeding—perhaps a slow-release fertilizer at planting and a weekly diluted liquid feed during peak summer bloom—will help sustain the energy required for continuous flowering throughout the season.
