FREE: Esperanza 20 flower seeds from my yard.

The listing, Esperanza 20 flower seeds from my yard. has ended.

Tecoma stans 'GoldStar'

Gold Star Esperanza

Tecoma stans 'Gold Star'

(Esperanza, Yellow Bells, Yellow Alder)

Heat and sun loving tropical with golden-yellow bell shaped flowers from late spring till frost. Zone 9.

Exposure: Full sun
Size: Three to four feet as an annual.
Blooms: Lightly fragrant, golden yellow, spring till frost.
Uses: Container, specimen, bedding, xeriscape, etc.
Notes: Remove seed pods to promote faster rebloom. Texas native. 1999 Texas A&M CEMAP promotion.

'Gold Star' Esperanza is a selection I made from a private garden in San Antonio. It was introduced by Lone Star Growers. 'Gold Star' was selected because it was the earliest blooming Tecoma stans that I trialed. Previously, Esperanza was difficult to sell as it didn't produce blooms in the container until late in the season. 'Gold Star' actually produced them as a liner.

Tecoma stans requires bright light and warm temperatures. It is propagated by softwood cuttings under mist. Bottom heat is recommended. I generally use a 3,000 ppm IBA quick dip to promote better rooting.

This particular selection is intermediate between the West Texas Tecoma stans angustata and the tropical Tecoma stans stans. Flower and leaf size is intermediate between the two.

Although grown as a shrub and a perennial in San Antonio, South Texas, and Mexico, Esperanza works best in the nursery trade as a tropical container plant, similar to Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, and Mandevilla. It isgenerally sold in one gallon or three gallon containers.

Esperanza has relatively few pests. In the greenhouse, it can be attacked by spider mites and aphids. Outdoors it is generally pest free.

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For more information on these and other adapted plants for Florida and Texas landscape see the following websites:

TAMU: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/