Tecoma stans (Yellow Bells)

The name refers to its bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers, which hang in clusters on a fast-growing shrub. Tecoma stans is native to the Americas and is the official flower of the United States Virgin Islands.

It generally flowers best in full sun with warm temperatures and well-drained soil. In cooler climates, frost can damage the foliage and prevent the tropical-looking yellow flowers from appearing reliably.

Yes, Tecoma stans can naturalize beyond gardens in some tropical and subtropical regions because it grows quickly and produces many seeds. Its invasive status varies by country, so local weed regulations matter before planting it outdoors.

Yellow Bells is Tecoma stans, with yellow trumpet flowers and a more upright shrub form. Cape honeysuckle, Tecomaria capensis, is a different species that usually has orange to red flowers and a more scrambling habit.