JACARANDA trees are indisputably ideal for urban street and park plantings, and as ornamental trees for landscaping in large and medium-sized gardens. The Latin name of this tree is Jacaranda mimosifolia, but it is also known as the Blue Jacaranda, or the Blue Trumpet Tree.

Originating from Brazil, the fifty species of Jacaranda trees are widely distributed across South America, Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean islands.

Because of its outstanding beauty, the Jacaranda has been introduced into many tropical and sub-tropical countries, like India, Africa and Pakistan.

Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is popularly and poetically known as Jacaranda City, or Jakarandastad in Afrikaans, because proliferation of the Jacaranda turns the city blue during the flowering period in spring.

The name Jakarandastad is frequently used in Afrikaan songs, such as Staan Op by Kurt Darren.

Essequibians on Wakenaam Island in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) commonly call the Jacaranda tree ‘The Wakenaam Lilac’.

There are some Jacarandas growing in the streets of Georgetown, but most can be found in the Botanical Gardens; and, of course, on the island of Wakenaam.

Jacarandas are also very widely grown as ornamental trees in Australia. The University of Queensland in Brisbane is particularly well known for its ornamental Jacarandas, and a common maxim among students holds that when the Jacaranda blooms, it signals the time for serious study for end-of-year exams.
Beautiful features

The Jacaranda tree is a tropical beauty with its clusters of fragrant purple, trumpet-shaped blooms. It is a handsome tree which grows to what is considered a medium height of 60 feet at the most; and is reputed to put on one of the prettiest shows of any tropical tree.

This tree is not as widely cultivated as either the Flambuoyant or Samaan tree; but, like these two, it is an excellent shade and/or landscape tree.

The tree blooms on branches with minimal growth, so that its full bloom gives it the appearance of a purple tree straight out of a fairytale.
This has led to its popularity in all tropical regions.

Flowers cover the ground for several weeks after dropping from the tree. Branches arch, making the tree a good choice for producing a canopy.

The unusually shaped, tough seed pods, about 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5cm) across, are often gathered, cleaned and decorated for use on Christmas trees and in dried arrangements.

Abundant shade
Jacarandas are grown as street trees because they provide abundant shelter. They feature in landscapes and lawns for their profuse flowering; and they are grown in large pots as ornamental plants for container gardening.

The Jacaranda can also be turned into a nicely sculpted bonsai tree.

Jacarandas are sometimes planted in small backyard gardens, but this should not be, because people can get so carried away by its spectacular performance in flower that they forget it is a fast-growing tree which rapidly outgrows a small plot.