Breathtaking Flower Clusters on a Fast-Growing Tropical Tree

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!

Plant away from Driveways, Walkways, and Pools
When a Jacaranda tree drops its flowers at the end of the bloom season, the lush carpet of purplish flowers on the ground below is a captivating sight! But if you plant your tree near your pool, patio, or walkway, you'll have some cleanup work. You'll have to remove the spent blossoms that float in the water of your pool or that cover your patio or sidewalk. So, it's best to plant your Jacaranda where the seasonal flower fall creates a blanket of color only on the ground underneath the tree.

Tropical Treasure
Jacaranda trees are native to South American, particularly throughout Northwestern Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. But they are so highly prized that they are grown around the world in other tropical areas. Jacaranda will grow as a perennial only in frost-free areas across USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. Gardeners in these zones are in for a treat!

Winter Growing Options
If you live outside Jacaranda's perennial range, you have a couple of options for growing this tree:
1. Container plants. Because of its mature size, you can't grow a Jacaranda in a pot that allows it to grow that large. But in a big container, its growth will be restricted by the size of the pot and you can grow a smaller tree this way. Bear in mind that potted Jacarandas are "iffy" for producing flowers, but their ferny foliage and natural shape are standalone attributes. Their primary feature is, of course, their richly colored flowers, and that's your goal for growing a potted Jacaranda. But if yours doesn't produce flowers, you'll still have a super-looking potted tree to grow outdoors during frost-free weather. You'll have to move this container plant indoors for the winter '– an unheated garage or storage shed will work as long as you keep it lightly watered.

2. Greenhouse environment. If you're the fortunate owner of a greenhouse, you have a ready-made place to overwinter your Jacaranda tree! But because it will be container-grown, it still may not bloom for you. If, however, your greenhouse is heated so you can keep your Jacaranda warm in the winter (instead of simply protecting it from the elements in an unheated space), you'll likely be able to help it produce flowers!

Choosing a Container
Even though potted Jacaranda trees stay much smaller than those planted in the landscape, they can still grow fairly large in containers. Choose a heavy pot, such as terracotta or ceramic, which won't be as apt to blow over on windy days. And select a container that's slightly larger than your Jacaranda's rootball. Every few years, you can repot it in a larger container until it's the size you want to maintain. Regardless of the container's material, the pot must have a drainage hole, so be sure to check for this. And remember that you'll have to move your Jacaranda indoors for the winter unless you live in its perennial range. So, you may want to place its pot on a sturdy plant dolly that has wheels. That way, you can more easily roll it indoors in the fall and back outdoors in the spring.

Low Maintenance
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.

Curious Jacaranda Facts
• A Jacaranda tree in Santa Ana, California, has achieved the "Big Tree" status. It stands 58 feet tall, 73 feet wide, and it measures 98 inches around the largest part of its trunk!
• You can use the seed capsules in dried floral arrangements.
• Jacaranda trees are so prized in Australia that they're celebrated each year with a festival that includes a feast, a parade, fireworks, and even the crowning of the Jacaranda Festival Queen!