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Tecoma 'Chicklet Orange'
Get all the high-intensity drama of a trumpet vine without the aggressive climbing. The Chicklet® Orange Trumpet Bush is a designer favorite from Proven Winners® that packs glowing, 2-inch orange blooms into a perfectly behaved, mounding shrub. Reaching only 3–6 feet tall, this "nugget-sized" powerhouse flowers non-stop from late spring until the first frost. If you want a heat-loving, drought-tolerant plant that acts as a neon sign for hummingbirds and butterflies while remaining completely ignored by deer, Chicklet® Orange is the ultimate low-maintenance solution.
Chicklet® Orange Trumpet Bush
$26.99
The Chicklet® Orange Trumpet Bush (Tecoma 'SMNTCIF') solves the age-old gardener's dilemma: how to enjoy exotic, tropical orange flowers without a vine taking over the entire house. This refined hybrid selection is bred for its tidy habit and superior flowering. On warm afternoons, the clusters of rich orange flowers release a light, pleasant fragrance, creating a sensory oasis in the hottest parts of your garden. Its lush green foliage stays dense and vibrant, providing a beautiful backdrop for the constant parade of nectar-seeking pollinators.
Why Choose Chicklet® Orange?
Compact "Nugget" Habit:
The name "Chicklet" refers to its tight, bushy growth. It naturally maintains a mounded shape, meaning you can retire your pruning shears and just enjoy the show.
Vibrant Sunset Glow:
The rich orange blooms have a luminous quality in the sunlight, providing a bold "pop" of color that lasts for months.
Wildlife Destination:
Perfectly designed for hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies, this shrub ensures your garden is always full of movement and life.
Tough-Spot Hero:
It thrives in reflected heat near pavement, stone walls, or south-facing foundations where other plants often struggle to survive.
Landscape Versatility
The Perfect Patio "Thriller":
Northern gardeners and patio lovers adore this plant in large containers. It acts as a stunning vertical element that handles drying out between waterings better than almost any other flowering shrub.
Low-Maintenance Flowering Hedges:
Plant several in a row for a vibrant, mid-sized hedge that defines your property with a wall of orange trumpets.
Xeriscaping & Water-Wise Gardens:
Once established, this plant is highly drought-tolerant, making it an ideal candidate for environmentally conscious landscapes.
Mixed Borders:
Pair it with deep purple salvias or blue ornamental grasses for a high-contrast, professional look that requires very little "deadheading" or fuss.
Expert Care and Maintenance
Sunlight:
Thrives in Full Sun to Partial Shade. For the best bloom count and the tightest growth habit, place it in the brightest spot available.
Water & Soil:
Requires well-drained soil. It actually performs better when the soil is allowed to dry out slightly between waterings, making it a very "forgiving" plant for busy gardeners.
Pruning:
While it maintains its shape naturally, you can give it a light trim in early spring to encourage even bushier growth and a more massive flush of flowers.
Climate Adaptability:
In Zones 8–11, it is a reliable landscape staple that stays evergreen in warmer areas. In colder zones, treat it as a spectacular container plant that can be moved indoors or enjoyed as a long-blooming annual.
Deer Resistance:
Even when other garden favorites are being nibbled, deer consistently ignore the Chicklet® Orange, keeping your landscape intact and beautiful.
Specifications
Botanical Name: Tecoma 'SMNTCIF'
Growth Rate: Fast
Mature Height: 3–6 feet
Mature Width: 2–4 feet
Bloom Color: Glowing Orange
Bloom Period: Late Spring through Early Fall
Hardiness Zones: 8–11 (Excellent container plant for all zones)
Special Traits: Heat & Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Magnet, Deer-Resistant, Low Maintenance