Yellow Bells / Yellow Elder (Tecoma stans)
Prized as a year-round Sonoran Desert pollinator attractant, the yellow/orange bells shrub is one of our top picks for the shrub layer especially where dense hedging is preferred, such as along south- or west-facing walls, as well as inward-facing walls with high reflective properties.
Mature Canopy Size
8–12 ft wide, 10–15 ft tall (can be pruned as multi-trunk tree or dense hedge)
Growth Rate
Fast — easily grows 2–4 ft per season
Water Requirements (Minimum vs. Maximum Growth)
Minimum: Low — tolerates drought once mature
For Fast Growth: Weekly watering during heat boosts flowering
Ecological & Functional Benefits
Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees
Excellent heat-reflecting, privacy-enhancing screen when grown as hedge
Native to southern Arizona, especially canyons and washes
Edible / Harvest Season / Nutritional Benefits
Not edible for humans — used ornamentally
Minimum Chill Hours
Not required — desert-adapted tropical/subtropical
Maintenance Requirements
Moderate — needs annual pruning to maintain tree form and reduce legginess. May freeze back in colder winters but rebounds quickly
Thorny or Not?
No
Deciduous or Not?
Semi-deciduous — may drop leaves in colder winters
Root System
Non-aggressive, fibrous root system
Generally safe around patios, fences, and pool decking
Low risk to infrastructure; great candidate for urban and suburban yards
Compact roots make it suitable near walls or as a hedge screen along property lines
Miscellaneous Notes
Showy trumpet-shaped yellow flowers nearly year-round
Can be maintained as single-stem small tree, multi-trunk specimen, or clipped hedge
Commonly confused with Tecoma alata, a hybrid with similar form
Questions about the Yellow Bells?
Comment below or on our social media pages @permascaping.
