The Jacaranda Tree
There is only one thing bloggers love more than French sailor shirts: peonies (see, §4.8 Approved Flora and Fauna). For the last two weeks, I have seen one post after another of what is, undoubtedly, a beautiful, ruffly, heady scented flower. Shrub? Bush? I have no idea. The closest I can come to a peony in my part of southern California is to pay $5.00 at Trader Joe’s for five brown-spotted pink heads that rarely open.
As lovely as a peony is, might I direct the attention of the blogosphere to the other side of the United States and its friend, the Jacaranda tree? Okay, Florida has them, too. So does South Africa and Australia. But, until a blogger from another state or country jumps in with me, I’m claiming them for my own.
As well I should. They line our streets.
And shade our homes.
Some better than others.
They dot the horizon.
And drip from the sky.
The are very, very beautiful, especially en masse as they are where I live. They come in various shapes and sizes, but almost everyone agrees on one thing. The best Jacaranda tree has to be the one in your neighbor’s yard.
Because, truthfully? They shed like mofos.
I don’t care. I want them covering my lawn! I’ve never seen them before. And, writing to you from a cold “snow state” of Illinois, I am so jealous of wear you live.
I love these trees and completely agree: they are best when not on my property!
They must be California’s version of the Southern Crepe Myrtle. Big, pillowy puffs of pink or white flowers that turn brown and land all over your car. Yuck.
They’re beautiful! I’ve never even heard of these. I agree w/ Emily, they seem like a bigger Cali version of Crepe Myrtles.
No, we have Crepe Myrtles, too. I have four in my front yard! O_O
These are much, much, much, MUCH messier. While taking the pictures I could hear the blossoms and pods hitting the ground–and occasionally I got pelted.
Great post Jules! We have them everywhere here too. I agree with one of your last statements…. my favorite one on our street is the one in my neighbor’s yard two doors down!
Being from the East Coast originally, I can tell all you East Coasters that they shed like Pine Trees in the wind… only you can’t use the purple petals as “pine straw”!
Ok, now my list of things I miss about California has grown to three things! 1) My brother who is the last of us to flee the state 2) the near constant sunshine and 3) the Jacarandas lining Kenneth Boulevard as you are driving from Burbank to Glendale. On certain days you would feel like you were driving through the most gorgeous purple tunnel!
Growing up I had a friend who lived on Jacaranda St. and those purple blooms lined the sidewalks making the street look like a lovely purple fairy land. I completely agree that the best tree is in your neighbor’s yard unless of course that tree branches out over your fence.
Jacarandas are one of my favorite, favorite things about spring in Los Angeles. I remember the first spring I lived here and just being dumbfounded by how beautiful these trees are!
Lol, I was thinking the last part the second you mentioned this tree! I think they are pretty as can be but please get them away from my car, gah!
I love them too but wholeheartedly agree, Jacaranda’s are best kept in a neighbor’s yard
And I guess I lucked out because my peonies from TJ’s completely opened up and lasted for almost a week.
gorgeous pics Jules!!!!
It’s so funny you posted about these trees. I’m a Southern California transplant, and last week I was trying to describe to my mom the peculiar colour of the the blossoms. The only way I could describe the colour was that it’s similar to the mark a bright purple fluorescent marker makes on a bright white sheet of paper. She asked me what the trees were called, and I didn’t know. Now I do!
I’ve got three of the trees on my property, along with several pine trees that LOOM over from the neighbour’s property, and I think Jacarandas and pine trees are best enjoyed when they are on the property of a neighbour three houses downwind.
I looooove them. They are one of my favorite.
They are absolutely my favorite. You should see them in the Cape in South Africa. Dotted amongst the vineyards…OMG…just beautiful. They have become illegal to plant in South Africa, because their roots go so deep and take so much water.
Does legal writing never go away? I love that you blog with citations to sections and signals. if only the whole world wrote that way.
They are so gorgeous! I grew up in the Inland Empire and swear I never noticed them until after I moved to the desert. My kids always called them “purple cloud trees” because I didn’t know what they were until the last several years. Great post, thanks!
Certainly the Jacaranda tree doesn’t shed … it simply sprinkles confetti! It’s a party tree!!!
Seriously though, they really are beautiful. *sigh*
I’ve never heard of them before – but they’re gorgeous!! Except when the flowers drop – ugh, what a mess – definitely best to admire from afar
!
When I lived in TX, I loved how pretty the Magnolia trees were. I did not love having to clear my car of their fallen petals every morning since I had to park outside, though.
Oh Jules! I love Jacaranda trees too! Last time I was in OC for business I spent way too much time taking pics of them. Good to see them getting some blog love!
Purple snow. Sometimes so beautiful – especially just before sunset that I swerve while driving.
Dear trees, thanks for the fresh air…
Dear Shoes, you are awesome!
LOVE these trees! Growing up in South Florida, we had these too … that was before it became the concrete jungle that it is today, but there are still a few around … so beautiful!!
Love the trees but agree they are too messy to have! Am more interested in the shoes! Can we see more?
What a site! I didn’t know jacarandas were so popular in Southern California.
I think we forget how many jacaranda trees we have here in Buenos Aires until November rolls around and the city turns violet. And we’re lucky enough to get a second (albeit less impressive) bloom from them around March.
A well-known children’s songwriter from Argentina called María Elena Walsh has a song about this tree. You can hear and see an animated version of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MudT9KSAxlA&feature=related
Saludos!