Jacaranda mimosifolia seeds

Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is an exotic tree renowned for its lavender-blue flowering, which brightens avenues in its native Brazil. Its fine and delicate foliage, resembling that of the mimosa, is equally ornamental. Its flowering in large clusters of tubular flowers first appears in late winter on the naked wood, then more or less abundantly from spring to summer, and sometimes even in autumn. Undemanding and drought-resistant once well-rooted, it can be acclimatised in coastal gardens. Elsewhere, you can try pot cultivation, though it flowers with difficulty. It should be overwintered in a spacious greenhouse or conservatory.

A member of the Bignoniaceae family,  Jacaranda mimosifolia is a cousin of Campsis and Catalpa, originating from the dry prairies of south-central South America. Today, it is widely planted along the Mediterranean coast, in Corsica, Japan, Nepal, South Africa, the Maghreb, Australia, as well as in the southern United States and Latin America. It is also well-established in overseas territories such as Réunion, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana. Its hardiness is moderate: a mature specimen can tolerate temperatures down to -7°C, but its flower buds, which form in late summer, are destroyed at -4°C. Some American sources, however, report that old specimens have withstood -12°C near Los Angeles. In favourable climates,  Jacaranda is a fast-growing tree that can reach 40 m in height in its natural habitat. In our latitudes, it rarely exceeds 12 m, with a spread of 8 to 10 m in open ground. When grown in pots, it remains much more modest. Its grey-brown bark is initially smooth and becomes scaly with age. It can produce multiple trunks if pruned young, but a single trunk is generally preferred. Its slender, reddish-brown branches are slightly zigzagged and quite brittle. The foliage appears in spring and falls in late winter. It consists of large compound leaves, up to 45 cm long, composed of numerous small, hairy, bright green leaflets. Flowering occurs from 2 m in height and may take several years to appear. The flower buds form in autumn or early winter and are very sensitive to frost. The flowers in clusters of 20 to 30 cm bloom first in March-April, then sometimes until July or September-October. Their mauve-blue colour and tubular shape with five lobes give them a unique charm. They are nectar-rich and attract numerous pollinators. After flowering, the tree produces woody, round fruits 5 to 7 cm in diameter, resembling pearly oysters, earning it the occasional nickname of oyster tree. Each fruit contains numerous winged seeds, which self-seed naturally or can be collected for sowing.

Ideal for the Mediterranean coastline, beautiful specimens of Blue Jacaranda can be admired along the Var coast, in Corsica, or near Perpignan, where mild winters and spring humidity favour its growth. This enchanting tree deserves a prime spot in a large, sheltered garden, with enough space for its future development. However, beware of its brittle wood, sensitive to strong winds, and its faded flowers, known to be messy. Note that its widely spreading roots can harm neighbouring plants.