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Purple Reign: Jacaranda Trees Turn San Diego Ultra Violet
By Eric S. Page • Published May 26, 2022 • Updated on May 26, 2022 at 5:31 pm
NBCUniversal Media, LLC
It’s hard to miss the jacaranda trees this year — the 12,000 or so of them thriving along city streets, anyway — as they explode in color all over the city and county of San Diego.
If it seems like 2022 is especially vibrant, the soft purple petals carpeting all 100 neighborhoods of America’s Finest City in a velvet fog the likes of which has rarely been seen, you’re not wrong. Even San Diego city forester Brian Widener has noticed, and not just out the kitchen window of his North Park home where — SURPRISE — a jacaranda is in bloom.
Widener, a Northern California native who has a bachelor’s of science degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, said on Tuesday that of the 200,000 “street trees” being cared for by the city of San Diego, the jacaranda is the most popular, if not the most prevalent, only superseded by the Queen Anne and fan palms. San Diego does not plant palm trees, though, mostly opting instead for species that are not terribly thirsty, that can deal with drought, whose roots can absorb more water/storm runoff and that offer a larger canopy, among other reasons.
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“It’s really obvious right not that the jacarandas are just taking off,” Widener said with a laugh, adding later, “I almost feel like I was imagining it, right? ‘Really?’ There’s all these purple trees, and I feel like I’ve not noticed it this intense, right? But maybe. maybe there’s something going on. I mean, it does seem really spectacular the last week or two here.”
It’s believed that the jacaranda in San Diego, as is the case with many fantastic flora stories about the city, begins in the 1890s with Kate Sessions, the famed horticulturist who is believed to have first planted them locally as part of her commitment to plant 100 new trees in Balboa Park every year and a few hundred trees annually in public places, including along city streets. In fact, visitors to the site of her old home in Mission Hills can spy a towering specimen across the street, maybe one of the bigger ones in town.
“They are native to South America so, in particular, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, probably a few other countries as well, too,” Widener said.
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The trees have an incredibly long blooming season, in some cases starting as early as March, with purple pockets making appearances all the way to September or October. Widener said there tends to be two blooming seasons, though, in late May or early June, with spectacular flowering, and there seems to be another little season in the fall.
“There’s a lot of factors involved,” Widener said. “Some of it is just genetics, right? But it’s definitely the season and the temperature outside, so, yeah, you may be seeing jacarandas blooming in Santa Barbara in July. Around here, it’s usually late May, early June. And it just depends on previous weather patterns, like, ‘Did we have a string of colder days?’ Things like that, but every tree is a little bit unique too.”
Want to get in on the purple haze? Just head over to the city’s Free Tree SD web page and sign up. You do have to commit to helping it get started, water-wise, but the city will take care of the planting. Based on planting season and some other factors, though, you may have to wait nine months for yours to get in the ground. BTW, while you may request a jacaranda from the city, an arborist will make a final determination of what species will be planted — the city populates the sidewalks and everywhere else with more than 100 varieties of shade-makers, including the flowering crepe maple and gold medallion trees.
“What we do require of folks that sign up for a new tree is to commit to watering those new trees for three years,” Widener said. “Our basic schedule is water a new tree for the first year twice a week, water it twice a month for the second year, then once a month for the third year.”
And who’s paying for all these jacarandas? Not just taxpayers.
“We have a fund actually in place called the Fig Fund,” Widener said. “Back in, I think it was 2002, I believe, the city had a resolution put into place from a family called the Fig family, and they basically put in a place an endowment for the city of San Diego to use to plant jacaranda trees.”
Widener said the city uses that fund — which, when it was opened, was several hundred thousand dollars — on almost a yearly basis to plant additional jacarandas throughout the city.
Not everybody loves the jacaranda, though. We’re talking about the poor people who have to sweep up that purple rug every day, of course — and it is EVERY day. The trees and their sap can make car cleanup a sticky business, but Widener said the city receives just a tiny amount of complaints. And, yes, it’s on you to clean it up if the trees adjoin your property.
Now, you may be wondering, if you’re driving anywhere toward downtown — especially if you’re on Beech Street and headed west, with the trees just RIOTING as you approach the bay — why, nestled in San Diego’s alphabetically named tree streets between Kalmia and Ivy (yes, we know “ivy” is not a tree” but are assuming somebody was not familiar with the Ice Cream Bean, Incense Cedars or Indian Almond trees [thanks, TreeNames.net!]), you’re driving by Juniper Street not Jacaranda Street. We made the suggestion for a name switch to Widener.
“Maybe we need to change that street name,” Widener said with a laugh, adding later, “I could maybe talk to a couple people about it. We’ll see. I do like junipers, too.”
Pressed on the topic, the laughing Widener said, “We’ll take it into consideration.”
Product Description
The grandeur of a Jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia) in full bloom truly is unrivaled. Brilliantly awash in color that includes hues of blue, lavender, lilac, and purple, this spectacular tree will take your breath away. Suited for only the warmest climates, Jacaranda is a frost-tender tropical treasure that will add a majestic touch to your landscape. In cooler climates, it’s even a beautiful potted tree that graces sunny patios, decks, and courtyard gardens.
A Springtime Beauty
Jacarandas produce so many flowers that the canopies of trees are completely covered with blooms in springtime. The densely packed blossoms virtually drip off the trees because they are formed in clusters on panicles that can reach 12 inches! The individual bell-shaped blossoms are substantial ‘– up to 2 inches long. Although these impressive flowers are certainly large and abundant, it’s the sheer spectacle of color overhead that will leave you speechless. And when the flowers drop from trees after their spring show, they provide a resplendent encore. On the ground below Jacaranda trees, the flowers are so plentiful that they create a solid carpet of color!
Also Called the Fern Tree
Even when the Jacaranda is not blooming, its intriguing foliage makes this tree an exceptional addition to your landscape design. One of Jacaranda’s common names ‘– fern tree ‘– hints at the unusual texture of its leaves. The dramatic foliage resembles large fern fronds that grow up to 20 inches long. These leaves also look like those of the mimosa tree, which is the reason for its descriptive species name ‘– mimosifolia. With its showy flowers followed by textural leaves, the Jacaranda tree combines beauty and architecture in one luxurious package!
The Ferny Foliage Even Allows Grass to Grow under Trees
Trees with broad leaves that completely shade the ground create an obstacle for growing grass underneath them. You’ve seen patchy ‘– or non-existent ‘– grass underneath your large shade trees. It’s because most types of turfgrass need sun to grow well. In shady areas, grasses struggle to survive and typically just don’t make it. But the ferny foliage of Jacaranda trees allows filtered sunlight to reach the ground below. The University of Florida notes that this quality makes it easier for turfgrass to grow under Jacaranda trees than under other types of trees that have denser canopies. Your lawn will look fuller without patchy eyesores underneath these trees!
Pest- and Disease-Free
Many trees that are highly ornamental, including lots of flowering varieties, are plagued by insects and diseases that mar their beauty and compromise their health. But not so with the durable Jacaranda tree! It is rarely bothered by pests, which means you’re able to enjoy its beauty without having to spray it with chemicals every year to keep it healthy and productive.
Maximize Your Landscape Design
You can’t help but notice this eye-popping tree no matter where you place it in your sunny landscape! Keep its mature size in mind when you scout a location for it ‘– it can grow up to 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide. In a large landscape, you cannot find a showier tree to plant in a row along your property line ‘– either down both sides of your yard or along the back. If you have a smaller landscape and you’re deciding on a single accent tree, look no further. One Jacaranda tree provides a dramatic focal point that gives you magnificent spring blooms and textural foliage the rest of the growing season. And if you own a business, Jacaranda trees are also lovely in commercial landscapes!
Planting & Care
Follow these planting and growing tips to keep your Jacaranda healthy and happy:
• Sun. Plenty of sun is what the plant doctor orders for this tree! Jacaranda can tolerate some light shade, but it will produce more flowers and thicker growth in full sun.
• Soil. Fertile soil that drains well is optimal for the health of Jacaranda trees.
• Water. Because Jacaranda is a tropical tree, it responds to soil that stays evenly moist (but not soggy). It’s best not to allow the soil to dry completely or the roots may become stressed. Water your newly transplanted Jacaranda more often than an established tree ‘– twice a week during hot weather, and once a week during milder weather.
• Mulch. Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch to help keep the soil from drying out too quickly, and spread the mulch in a wide circle around your tree. Pull the mulch away from the trunk about 12 inches instead of piling it against your tree.
• Fertilizer. Surprisingly, Jacaranda trees don’t have a high demand for fertilizer. When you have a soil test performed, you’ll know exactly what nutrients it needs. Your local Cooperative Extension Service can test your soil and make recommendations for any needed fertilizer. If you do fertilize your tree, an application in early spring is the best time to boost its growth and encourage lots of blooms.
• Pruning. You’ll be glad to know that you won’t need to prune your Jacaranda. It naturally grows into a rounded shape, sometimes even taking an umbrella-like form! And since pruning sometimes detracts from Jacaranda’s natural shape, it’s best to leave it unpruned.
Shipping Details
Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship within 1-2 days. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.
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| $100.00-$128.99 | $29.95 |
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