Bring bold color and nonstop blooms to your garden with Tecoma stans, commonly known as Yellow Elder or Yellow Bells. This sun-loving perennial shrub or small tree dazzles with clusters of bright golden trumpet-shaped flowers from spring through fall—often blooming nearly year-round in frost-free zones. Popular in tropical and Mediterranean-style landscapes, Yellow Elder is a fast grower that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees. 
Though its native status to Florida is debated, it is known to be native to parts of the American Southwest and Central America. (See below) 
It is a lovely choice for pollinator gardens, privacy screens, and vibrant backdrops. With its drought tolerance and eye-catching blooms, it’s a standout addition for wildlife-friendly, low-maintenance landscapes.
General Information
Status in Florida: Native to South Florida (Debated) 
Native Habitat: Coastal hammocks, pinelands, disturbed sites
Native States: FL (southern counties only), TX, NM, AZ, CA
Growing Zones: 8–11
Size at Maturity: 6–20 ft tall
Phenology: Semi-evergreen to deciduous
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Fast
Growth Habit: Upright, open, woody
Bloom Season: Spring to fall (year-round in frost-free areas)
Bloom Color: Yellow
Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Full
Soil Texture: Sand, loam, adaptable
Soil pH: Adaptable
Moisture Requirements: Average, dry
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low to moderate
Keystone Plant: No
Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Specimen shrub or small tree, pollinator garden, drought-tolerant landscape, large containers, privacy screening, street tree, potted patio tree
Maintenance Tips: Prune to shape and control size, cut back after frost in cooler zones
Considerations: Cold-sensitive in zones 8–9, plant in well-drained soil
Hurricane Wind Resistant: Low
Erosion Control: No
Nitrogen Fixing: No
Other Information
Edible: No
Pet Safe: Caution
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Yes
Historical Medicinal Uses: Used traditionally in Central America to manage diabetes and digestion
Florida Native Companion Plant: Firebush (Hamelia patens), Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Wildlife Benefit: Pollinators, especially hummingbirds and butterflies. Provides seeds for small mammals 
Caterpillar Host Plant: yes, Dogface Butterfly 
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Native Status Debacle -  
According to the FL Plant Atlas: Not Native
Plant Notes:
In Florida, the earliest specimen of Tecoma stans may be from around Key West (e.g. Blodgett s.n., NY; 1873, Faxon s.n., NY; also noted by Melvill 1884). The species has been treated as both native (Pelton 1964; Meerow et al. 2001) and non-native (Gray 1878: 319; Gilman & Watson 1994) to Florida.” 
https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/1437#:~:text=The%20species%20has%20been%20treated,&%20Watson%201994)%20to%20Florida.
Larry Bird Johnson Wildflower Center lists as native to Florida
“USA: AZ , FL , NM , TX
Native Distribution: South-central Texas west to Arizona, south through Mexico and Central America to South America as far as northern Argentina. Southern Florida south through the Caribbean.
Native Habitat: High elevations, hillsides, slopes, canyons”
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=test