Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Sparklette Tecoma Shrub
Sparklette is a compact tecoma with clusters of bright yellow trumpet flowers marked with dark orange in the throat. It stays about 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. That size fits beds, borders and patio pots where yellow bells would grow too big. It blooms from spring into fall and draws hummingbirds the whole season. Give it full sun and it handles the heat.
Best for: hummingbird beds and borders, large patio pots, hot spots beside walls and walks, and small yards where yellow bells would grow too big.
Hummingbirds visit the yellow trumpet flowers from spring into fall. Plant it in full sun for the most flowers.
At about 3 to 4 feet wide, it fits a large patio pot. Use a container with a drainage hole and keep it in full sun.
Where yellow bells would grow 10 feet or more, Sparklette stays about 3 to 6 feet tall. It takes full sun and the heat off walls and walks.
A hard freeze can take it to the ground, though it regrows from the roots. In shade it grows lanky with fewer flowers. Leaf tier caterpillars can roll and web the leaves in fall.
- Tight group or low row3 ft apart
- Looser group4 ft apart
Water a new plant every few days for the first couple of weeks, then stretch it out over about two months. Once rooted, give it a deep soak every week or two in summer and much less in winter.
Frost in the 20s damages the leaves, and a hard freeze can take it to the ground. Wait until frost danger passes in spring, then cut off the frozen growth. It regrows from the roots.
Rolled leaves tied with webbing come from leaf tier caterpillars. Cut off the webbed tips, since tecomas handle a lot of this feeding without lasting harm.
It does not need fertilizer to grow well. A light feeding in summer can push more flowers, and you can skip feeding in fall and winter.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Sparklette tecoma get?
Plan for about 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. That is far smaller than yellow bells, so it fits beds and pots.
What color are Sparklette flowers?
The trumpet flowers are bright yellow with dark orange or red markings in the throat. They open in clusters from spring into fall.
When does Sparklette bloom?
It blooms from spring into fall. Keep it in full sun and watered in summer for the most flowers.
Does Sparklette attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Hummingbirds visit the flowers from spring into fall, along with bees and butterflies. Keep it in full sun for the most flowers.
Can Sparklette grow in a pot?
Yes. Its compact size suits a large patio pot. Use a pot with a drainage hole and keep it in full sun.
How often should I water Sparklette?
Water it every few days at first, then stretch it out over about two months. Once rooted, soak it deeply every week or two in summer and much less in winter.
How cold hardy is Sparklette?
Frost in the 20s damages the leaves, and a hard freeze can take it to the ground. Wait until spring, cut off the frozen growth, and it regrows from the roots.
Sparklette vs Sparky tecoma?
Both stay much smaller than yellow bells. Sparklette has bright yellow flowers with orange markings, and Sparky has apricot flowers with reddish orange throats. Pick the flower color you like.
Does it need fertilizer?
No. It grows well without it, though a light feeding in summer can push more flowers. Skip feeding in fall and winter.
What are the rolled, webbed leaves in fall?
They come from leaf tier caterpillars. Cut off the webbed tips, since tecomas handle a lot of this damage without lasting harm.
Sparklette Tecoma Shrub for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Sparklette is a compact tecoma with yellow trumpet flowers, sized for smaller spaces. It blooms from spring into fall and feeds hummingbirds all season. Below you will find its size, watering, frost care and pruning, and how it compares with yellow bells and Sparky.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Is Sparklette tecoma good for Phoenix yards?
Yes. It takes full sun and heat, blooms from spring into fall and draws hummingbirds. Water it every week or two in summer once it is rooted.
How big does Sparklette tecoma get?
It grows about 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. That is a fraction of the size of yellow bells, which can reach 10 feet or more.
Sparklette vs yellow bells
Both have yellow trumpet flowers and draw hummingbirds. Sparklette stays compact, while yellow bells grows into a large shrub that suits screens and background plantings.
Sparklette vs Sparky tecoma
Sparklette has bright yellow flowers with dark orange markings. Sparky has apricot yellow flowers with reddish orange throats. Both stay far smaller than yellow bells.
When to prune Sparklette in Arizona
Wait until frost danger passes in spring, then cut off any frozen growth. It regrows from the roots after a hard freeze and blooms on the new growth.
Can you grow Sparklette in a pot?
Yes. Its compact size suits a large patio pot. Use a pot with a drainage hole and keep it in full sun.
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