Plant of the Week - Orange Jubilee

For those of us who live here in the Valley of the Sun, we know that the Phoenix Metro Area isn't all brown sand and tumbleweeds. Many folks are surprised at the variety of plants in the desert. They are especially pleased when they discover that many desert plants stay green all year long, and have lovely flowers. This weeks plant of the week is Orange Jubilee or Orange Bells.

Orange Jubilee (sometimes called Orange Bells) is one of several desert plants that I recommend for people who want desert plants that are perennial (you need to plant them only once), hardy, low care, relatively drought resistant, easy to find, pretty cheap to buy, and provide lovely color many times during the year.

The botanical name for Orange Jubilee is Bignoniaceae, Tecoma Hybrid.

The Orange Jubilee is an evergreen shrub that loves sun and heat. It blooms from late spring through early fall. These desert plants are drought resistant, and do well in almost any soil. The Orange Jubilee blooms are bright orange and tubular; they look like elongated bells, which is why some people call them Orange Bells plants.

This beautiful desert plant attracts hummingbirds and bees. The leaves are a vibrant green color. Orange Jubilee plants can grow to eight feet tall or more, and to several feet wide. Orange Jubilees can be trimmed to control size and can be shaped, but most are left natural allowing branches to get longish and weepy. If they get frost damaged during the winter, you can just cut them back and they will grow again in the spring.

For those who want to know more about this plant in technical or scientific terms here you go:
Scientific Name: Tecoma alata (formerly known as Tecoma stans 'Orange Jubilee', 
also known as Tecoma guarume)
Common Name: orange bells, orange trumpet flower, cahauto
Family: Bignoniaceae
Origin: Peru

Landscape Use: Used similarly to T. stans as a medium to large floral accent shrub, background screen, specimen around large patios and ramadas exemplifying regional or Spanish architecture; best used in oasis and transition landscape designs settings, moderately attracts hummingbirds.

Form & Character: Evergreen large shrub, upright and open, stiff and rigid, festive, informal, subtropical to tropical. Though evergreen, winter is a time of quiescence for orange bells.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

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