Jacaranda mimosifolia belongs to the Jacaranda genus and is native of the dry, high plains of Brazil and Argentina. It is regarded as an invasive species in South Africa, Queensland and Australia.

 

The Jacaranda tree grows to a height of 10 to 15 metres (30-45') tall and has lacy green foliage which turns yellow in autumn before falling. Jacarandas are fast growing trees and have beautiful foliage. It is a spreading tree and an outstanding specimen planting finely divided, and is also highly attractive.

 

Jacaranda mimosifolia puts on a floral show twice a year the first blooms appearing as 20cm long floral clusters when its branches are bare with the second flush in the summer once the lush green leaves have emerged. The foliage is soft, delicate, fernlike, deciduous and dense. It has terminal clusters of lavender-blue, lightly fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. The flower color varies from soft blue through to mauve/blue and almost purple. There is also a white flowered cultivar available called 'White Christmas'. Flowering is reportedly best after winter. Jacaranda loses their leaves during the dry season, and at the end of the dry season they flower, fruit and then come into leaf. The Jacaranda wood is purple with dark venation.

 

Jacarandas are a shallow rooted tree and thrive in fertile, well-drained sunny positions, they don’t like heavy wet soils. It may flower best when grown in poor soil. Young plants require some protection from frost in their first year, if the tops blacken off simply prune them and new shoots will sprout. Jacarandas prefer a warm coastal climate that is frost-free or where light frost occurs.

 

The plant has rich figured timber that is rarely cut, as its ornamental value is high. The interesting leathery seedpods follow flowering. J. mimosifolia is recommended for street and park plantings and garden situations where light summer shade is required.

 

Did you know?

·         Jacaranda is from the Portuguese name for the flowers like a mimosa.

·         Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa is popularly and poetically known as Jacaranda City or Jakarandastad in Afrikaans because of the huge number of the trees which turn the city blue when they flower in the spring.

·        People in Australia sing a Christmas song about Jacaranda trees, as the blooms are only seen in summer time.

·        The Jacaranda City, (located 50 kms north of Johannesburg) noted for it’s 70,000 plus flowering Jacaranda trees.

·        It is said that if you are walking underneath the Jacaranda tree and one of the trumpet blossoms falls on your head you will be favored by a fortune.