Originally from the drier regions of Brazil, jacaranda trees have since been planted around the world. I understand they are even a favorite in Nepal! They are also a favorite tree in Pasadena and this week they are in full, glorious bloom.
Well, not everyone likes them. Their purple blossoms stain when they drop on cars and sidewalks. And some people don’t like cleaning up their leaves which drop in early May, just before the flowers burst into bloom.
Back in December of 2011, a huge windstorm swept through Pasadena destroying thousands of trees; it also knocked down some of the jacaranda trees along Del Mar. The City of Pasadena Forestry Department promptly replanted them and the new trees are doing well.
What I’m going to show in this post are the old trees, brought from South America to the Los Angeles Arboretum, where they were propagated (cuttings were made and stuck in pots) and the new trees installed in Pasadena.
Not in Pasadena? Take the Metro Gold Line to the Del Mar station, turn left, walk a half a block and go left again.
