The Boldest Red-Orange Flowering Shrub for Phoenix Heat

Bells of Fire (Tecoma 'Bells of Fire') is a showstopper — a compact, drought-tolerant shrub that pumps out clusters of bright red-to-orange tubular flowers from spring through fall. Hummingbirds can't resist it, and neither can Phoenix homeowners looking for maximum color with minimum water. Growing 4–6 feet tall, this Tecoma hybrid thrives in the brutal summer heat that wilts most flowering plants. Whether you're adding a splash of color to a Scottsdale poolside, brightening a Mesa border, or creating a hummingbird haven in Chandler — Bells of Fire delivers non-stop blooms all season long.

Bells of Fire Plant Details

Attribute	Detail
Scientific Name	Tecoma 'Bells of Fire'
Common Names	Bells of Fire, Red Tecoma, Fire Bells
Mature Height	4–6 feet
Mature Width	3–5 feet
Growth Rate	Fast — 2–3 feet per year in Phoenix
Sun	Full sun (6+ hrs). Blooms best with maximum sun exposure.
Water	Low to moderate once established. Very drought-tolerant.
USDA Zones	9–11 (Phoenix is Zone 9b–10a)
Soil	Well-draining. Adapts to Arizona caliche soils.
Foliage	Semi-evergreen — may drop leaves in cold winters, regrows quickly in spring
Bloom Color	Bright red to orange tubular flowers — spring through fall
Wildlife	Hummingbird and butterfly magnet

Bells of Fire Uses in Phoenix Landscapes

Colorful Border & Mass Planting

Plant Bells of Fire in groups of 3–5 along fence lines, property borders, or garden beds for a wall of red-orange blooms all summer. Space 3–4 feet apart for mass plantings. A 20-foot border needs about 6 plants. The vibrant flowers create a tropical feel that stands out against desert-toned homes and gravel landscapes.

Hummingbird & Pollinator Garden

The bright tubular flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds, making Bells of Fire the anchor plant for any Phoenix pollinator garden. Pair it with Chuparosa, Desert Milkweed, and Penstemon for a year-round hummingbird habitat. The non-stop blooming from spring through fall keeps the birds coming back all season.

Pool-Friendly Color

Bells of Fire's compact form, non-invasive roots, and minimal leaf litter make it an excellent choice near pools and patios. The vivid red-orange flowers add tropical color to outdoor living areas without creating a maintenance headache. Perfect for adding life to poolside beds in Scottsdale and Tempe.

Low-Water Color Accent

Most flowering shrubs that produce this much color need heavy watering. Bells of Fire breaks that rule — once established, it thrives on minimal irrigation while still pumping out flowers all season. Use it wherever you want bold color without the water bill.

Best Time to Plant Bells of Fire in Phoenix

Spring (March–April) is the ideal planting window for Bells of Fire, as warm soil and lengthening days kick-start rapid growth. Fall (October–November) is also excellent. Avoid planting in peak summer if possible, though established plants handle extreme heat without issue.

How to Plant Bells of Fire

1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth as the container.
2. Check for caliche — break through any hardpan layer for proper drainage.
3. Backfill with native soil — a light 20% compost blend is fine but not required.
4. Spacing — 3–4 feet apart for mass plantings and hedges; 5 feet for standalone specimens.
5. Water basin — build a 3–4 inch ring of soil around the planting hole to direct water to roots.
6. Mulch — 2–3 inches of gravel or bark mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.

Watering Bells of Fire in Phoenix

First Year Watering Schedule

• Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (20–30 min)
• Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days
• Month 3–6: Every 5–7 days (every 3–5 days in peak summer)
• After Year 1: Every 7–14 days in summer; every 3–4 weeks in winter

Drip Irrigation

Place one 2-GPH emitter 12–18 inches from the base. Bells of Fire is drought-tolerant once established but produces more flowers with consistent deep watering during the bloom season. Reduce water in winter when growth slows.

How fast does Bells of Fire grow in Phoenix?
Very fast — expect 2–3 feet of growth per year. A 1 gallon plant can reach full size (4–6 feet) within 2 growing seasons in Phoenix.

Does it bloom all year?
In Phoenix, Bells of Fire blooms heavily from spring through fall — roughly March through November. It may have a brief dormant period in winter, especially if temperatures drop below freezing, but bounces back quickly in spring.

Is Bells of Fire frost hardy?
It's semi-evergreen in Phoenix. Hard freezes (below 28°F) may cause tip dieback, but the plant recovers rapidly in spring. In most Phoenix Valley locations, it sails through winter with minimal damage.

Does it attract hummingbirds?
Absolutely. The bright red-orange tubular flowers are specifically shaped for hummingbird feeding. It's one of the best hummingbird plants available for Phoenix gardens.

How is Bells of Fire different from Yellow Bells?
Both are Tecoma varieties, but Bells of Fire produces red-to-orange flowers instead of yellow. It tends to be slightly more compact than Yellow Bells and offers a bolder, more tropical color palette.

You May Also Like

• Yellow Bells — The classic yellow Tecoma — plant both for a red-and-yellow color explosion.
• Chuparosa — Another hummingbird favorite with red tubular flowers that blooms in cooler months when Bells of Fire slows down.
• Desert Milkweed — A native butterfly magnet that complements Bells of Fire in pollinator gardens.
• Mexican Honeysuckle — Orange tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and pair beautifully with Bells of Fire.
• Ruellia — Purple flowers that provide color contrast against Bells of Fire's red-orange blooms.

How Many Bells of Fire Do I Need?

At a mature width of 3 to 5 feet, space Bells of Fire about 3 to 4 feet apart for a continuous color border, or plant in odd-numbered groups of 3 to 5 for a bold massed effect. Use this table to estimate plant count for a border or mass:

Border Length	Plants Needed (3.5 ft spacing)
10 ft	3 plants
20 ft	6 plants
30 ft	8 plants
40 ft	11 plants

For a single accent, one plant set 5 feet from neighbors stands clear as a rounded color mound.

Bells of Fire Season-by-Season in Phoenix

• Spring (Feb–Apr): New growth flushes fast and the first wave of red-orange tubular flowers opens, pulling in hummingbirds. Prime planting and growth window.
• Summer (May–Sep): Peak bloom. Bells of Fire loves extreme heat and reflected warmth off walls and pavers, flowering hardest when most plants stall. Monsoon rains (Jul–Sep) push an extra surge of growth and color.
• Fall (Oct–Nov): Strong continued bloom as temperatures ease. Excellent second planting window while soil is warm.
• Winter (Dec–Jan): Growth slows and it may drop leaves. Hard freezes below about 28°F can cause tip dieback. Leave damaged stems until February, then cut back and it rebounds quickly in spring.

At a Glance

✔ Heat-Loving (Reflected-Heat Tolerant)   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Hummingbird-Friendly   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Low-Maintenance

Plant It With

• Yellow Bells: the golden-yellow Tecoma sibling for a red-and-yellow color explosion.
• Mexican Honeysuckle: soft orange tubular blooms that extend the hummingbird buffet into shadier spots.
• Flame Honeysuckle: another top hummingbird shrub with fiery tubular flowers that overlaps the bloom season.
• Red Yucca: low-water coral flower spikes that bring the same hummingbirds and add a spiky accent.

Is Bells of Fire Right for Your Yard?

Bells of Fire thrives in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light, shrugs off reflected heat off walls and pavement, and asks only for fast-draining soil and lean watering once established. Break through caliche at planting so roots drain freely. It is not a fit for deep shade, where bloom drops off sharply, and it can show tip dieback in a hard Valley freeze, so expect a late-winter cutback.