Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 21:23:06 -0500
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>
From: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Esperanza (Tecoma)

James wrote;

While walking through a local nursery I found another esperanza
(Tecoma ?)
that has finer leaves and orange-yellow, longer appearing more
trumpet shaped
flowers with a less flared corollla. This variety was loaded with
sweet sweet
nectar. I am thinking about replacing the 'yellow bells' with
this more
nectar-filled one. Has any one else had any experience with the
orange
esperanza?

James,

Tecoma elata and the hybrid Tecoma 'Orange Jubilee'  are the
plants you're referring to. I've grown Tecoma elata before and am
now growing 'Orange Jubilee'.  Hummers visit both but they are not
the most sought after in my experience. I've seen some hummers
flock to these plants while others just ignore them. I'm growing
them again because they are drought tolerant,  insect and disease
free and, well, because *some* hummers use them. I've seen both
the orange Tecomas listed as growing to 3' tall but mine have
reached over 6'. These plants should be grown in full sun and
bloom in the heat of summer. They will do well in sand and don't
require much water once established. Give them a try.

Unlike T. stans, T. elata is not native to Texas. But that doesn't
matter, it grows fine in most parts of the state (and elsewhere of
course). By the way, Tecomas are related to Campsis radicans,
Bignonia capreolata, Chilopsis linearis and other plants in
Bignoniaceae.

Howard Williams,
Dallas, Texas