- **Type**: Evergreen shrub (in warm climates) or deciduous perennial (in cooler zones)

- **Height**: 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm)

- **Width**: 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm)

- **Growth Habit**: Compact, mounding, with a tidy, rounded form

- **Foliage**:

- Dark green, serrated, pointed leaves, 2 to 4 inches long (5 to 10 cm)

- Glossy texture, evergreen in frost-free areas; may drop in cold winters

- **Flowers**:

- Showy clusters of golden-yellow, trumpet-shaped blooms with maroon-red throats

- Each flower 1 to 2 inches long (2.5 to 5 cm)

- Bloom season: Spring through fall (March to November), nearly year-round in mild climates

- Lightly fragrant, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering; tolerates partial shade

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained; adapts to sandy, loamy, or average soils

- Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7.5)

- **Watering**: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established, water regularly during first year

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 8 to 11 (10°F or -12°C; may die back in cold but regrows from roots)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts pollinators (bees, butterflies, hummingbirds); not particularly attractive to deer

- **Care**:

- Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape or remove dead growth

- Fertilize lightly with a balanced mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring

- Remove seedpods to encourage continuous blooming

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Generally pest-resistant; may see aphids or spider mites

- Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soil

- **Uses**: Containers, borders, mass plantings, tropical accent, or low hedge

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate; reaches mature size in 1-2 seasons under good conditions

- **Special Features**:

- Compact cultivar, smaller than standard *Tecoma stans* varieties

- Heat and drought tolerant, ideal for arid climates

- Vibrant bicolor flowers add tropical flair

The Sparklette™ Esperanza’s petite size, vivid yellow-and-maroon blooms, and tough nature make it a fantastic pick for sunny patios, small gardens, or as a pop of portable color in containers. Let me know if you’d like more care tips or planting ideas!