The gorgeous tropical tree Jacaranda mimosifolia. The magnificent clusters of vibrant purple-blue trumpet-shaped blooms, lovely green fern-like leaves, and a spreading umbrella-like canopy distinguish the jacaranda tree. The lovely flowering tree is native to South and Central America and grows in Florida and California, also known as the blue jacaranda.
As it blooms in spring and summer, the fast-growing graceful jacaranda tree is ubiquitous in streets, parks, and gardens.
This is a complete guide to establishing and maintaining a jacaranda mimosifolia tree. The jacaranda tree’s flowers, leaves, and bark may all be identified with the help of descriptions and photographs. You’ll find useful advice on how to handle problems that may arise while growing the jacaranda tree at the end of the article.
Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)
The blue jacaranda tree is considered as a stunning specimen of nature. The Jacaranda tree, which grows to be 25 to 50 feet (7.5 to 15 meters) tall and has a spreading rounded crown of 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 meters), is a semi-evergreen tree. The upright branch growth of the Jacaranda mimosifolia is open.
A stunning example tree, the blue jacaranda tree is ideal for medium to large yards. The tree is appropriate as a lawn or tree for providing dappled shade beneath its wide canopy, thanks to its lovely dark green pinnately compound leaves.
Blue jacaranda trees grow well in the southern United States. In Florida, Texas, and California, the stately blue-flowering tree is popular. The medium-sized blooming tree, which produces blue, lilac, and light purple hues in the landscape, is a wonderful plant.
Blue jacaranda, green ebony, fern tree, sharp-leaf jacaranda, and black poui are some of the other names for Jacaranda mimosifolia. Remember that a jacaranda tree is prone to be untidy when being planted. Brown woody seedpods with winged seeds develop after the flowers have faded. Patios, sidewalks, swimming pools, and lawns are all susceptible to these.
Jacaranda Tree Growing Zone
USDA zones 10 and 11 are ideal conditions for Jacaranda trees, which are semi-tropical southern trees. Full sun is best for the flowering trees, and inland areas have more abundant blooming. In warmer parts of growing zone 9b, you might also grow a blue jacaranda tree.
Jacaranda Tree Growth Rate
The jacaranda tree develops quickly. The beautiful flowering jacaranda tree grows approximately 10 feet (3 meters) per year in ideal circumstances. jacarandas reach a height of 25 to 50 feet (7.5 to 15 meters) after that, growing 20 inches (50 cm) each year.
The beauty and color of Jacaranda trees add to the environment around them, and they may live up to 70 years. Its quick development, medium size, and spreading canopy make it ideal as a residential shade tree in warm regions of the southern United States.
Jacaranda Tree Flowers
Blue trumpet-shaped blooms are usually grouped in clusters on Jacaranda trees, which have purple-blue flowers. The attractive blue or lilac panicles reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, and individual tubular flowers are roughly 2 inches (5 cm) long. Blue jacaranda blooms bloom for two months and are most common in late spring and early summer.
The flower clusters’ typical light blue to dark lilac color is referred to as the common name, blue jacaranda. Jacarandas, on the other hand, can produce whites with faint blue blooms. Jacarandas may bloom all year in the warmer parts of the country. A tropical tree with white flowers, the cultivar Jacaranda mimosifolia ‘Alba’ Sadly, jacaranda trees that are little or those cultivated in pots seldom, if ever, bloom.
Jacaranda Tree Leaves
The bi-pinnate leaves of the Jacaranda tree are fern-like, with major leaflets along the midrib and smaller leaflets on each major leaflet. Up to 20 inches (50 cm) long, each leaf is huge. In the fall, the green leaves turn brown.
Jacaranda Tree Fruit (Seed Pods)
Blue jacaranda trees produce blue mahogany-colored woody seedpods that resemble fruit. In late summer, trees with 3″ (7.5 cm) broad round brown seed pods appear. The winged seeds are found in papery casings within the plate-like pods, which open like clams. The seeds are picked for their ornamental worth.
Jacaranda Bark
While the tree is young, jacaranda bark has a grayish-brown color and is relatively thin and delicate. As the tree grows, its bark becomes more scaly and feels rougher. The twigs of the Jacaranda tree are zig-zag shaped, and the branches have a curving appearance.
Jacaranda Tree in Florida
In Florida landscapes,jacaranda trees bloom frequently. In Central and South Florida’s humid climate, the heat-loving jacaranda tree thrives. As a consequence, purple-flowering trees may frequently be seen in parks, streets, and yards south of Orlando until the Florida Keys due to their prevalence in the Sunshine State.
Jacaranda Tree Lookalikes
Yellow flame tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum) or royal poinciana (Delonix regia) are two examples of trees with double pinnately compound leaves that can be mistaken for Jacaranda. It is virtually impossible to tell jacaranda apart from other look alike ornamental trees from late fall until early spring (when the trees are not flowering).
Yellow Flowering Jacaranda Tree Look-Alike
The yellow flame (Peltophorum pterocarpum) tree resembles a yellow-flowering jacaranda tree in appearance. The fern-like foliage and lovely rounded canopy of the attractive evergreen southern tree The jacaranda tree, unlike the yellow flame tree, only produces light blue to lilac blossoms rather than brilliant yellow blossoms.
Red Flowering Jacaranda Tree Look-Alike
The royal poinciana (Delonix regia) tree resembles a red-flowering jacaranda tree, with its green leaves. The tropical royal poinciana has fern-like leaves and a spreading umbrella-shaped canopy, as do other jacaranda tree look-alikes. The color of the flowers, however, distinguishes the two trees. The red blooms of the royal poinciana are not blue.
Jacaranda Tree Identification
The spectacular lilac-blue flower clusters that bloom in late spring or early summer are the distinguishing feature of the jacaranda tree. The jacaranda tree, which grows fast and produces pinnately compound, fern-like leaves, has gray-brown finely scaly bark and brown circular seed pods.
Dwarf Jacaranda (Bonsai Blue)
Jacaranda mimosifolia ‘Bonsai Blue’ is a dwarf Jacaranda tree that produces vivid blue-purple blooms. The lovely tree has all of the qualities of the bigger tree and grows to be 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. The dwarf jacaranda ‘Bonsai Blue’ has light-green fern-like leaves, clusters of tubular blue blooms, and is ideal for small, compact gardens.
In comparison to the bigger kind, the dwarf jacaranda tree has additional tough features. The little blooming dwarf jacaranda tree thrives in pots and can withstand temperatures as low as 28°F (-2°C). The tree also has stunning purple flowers, silky fern-like leaves, and is drought-tolerant.
Where to Plant Jacaranda Tree
In warm and humid environments, Jacaranda trees flourish best in full sun. Choose the brightest location in your yard when deciding where to plant the subtropical tree. Plant the tree at least 15 feet (4.5 meters) away from any structures, too. It’s important to recall that jacaranda seedlings cannot flourish in the shade of nearby trees.
A jacaranda tree should be planted in rich, loamy soil that drains well. As a result, before planting your yard, you’ll need to amend the soil with plenty of compost if it has low quality soil. You ensure that the soil has enough nutrients to support healthy development by doing this.
How to Plant Jacaranda Tree
Between late fall and early spring is the best time to plant a jacaranda tree. Before digging a hole to plant a jacaranda seedling or rooted nursery tree, it’s important to consider space. In just a few years, a jacaranda tree grows to be 25–50 feet (7.5–15 meters) tall and 30 feet (10 meters) broad. Weak growth will result from planting in tight areas.
Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and twice as wide to plant a blue jacaranda tree. Next, fill the hole with organic-rich native soil and place the root ball in it. Make sure that the soil level is about 1″ (2.5 cm) above the base of a jacaranda tree’s trunk.
To eliminate any air pockets, press the earth down as you go. Next, around the trunk, you should build a 3″ (7.5 cm) tall and 30″ (76 cm) diameter mound of soil. Next, water the jacaranda tree’s root zone thoroughly to ensure that it is well-watered.
To help keep the ground moist and weeds from growing, apply a 2″ (5 cm) layer of lightweight organic mulch over the jacaranda tree root area. Water the earth weekly during the first season to aid with the root development.
How to Grow Jacaranda Tree From Seed
A jacaranda tree can be grown from seed with little effort. For best results, first harvest the jacaranda seedpods when they’re brown and dried. Next, remove the seeds from the brown, spherical jacaranda seedpods by opening them like an oyster’s shell at home. It’s time to start growing your plants now that you’ve prepared the seed.
Next, for 24 hours, soak the jacaranda seeds in water. Next, fill 4-inch (10 cm) pots halfway with a moist, well-draining potting mixture. Then, roughly 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) deep, place one jacaranda seed in the center of each pot. Next, seal each pot with a rubber band to retain moisture by placing a plastic bag over it.
This encourages germination by creating a humid environment. Jacaranda seedlings take two to three weeks to appear. Transplant the seedlings to your garden when they are fully developed in their pots the next spring.
Growing Jacaranda Tree in Containers
If you live in USDA growing zones 9 and below,jacaranda trees can grow in containers. A 5-gallon (19 liter) container with drainage holes in the bottom, a loamy potting soil, and a robust nursery plant are required. Keep the potted jacaranda tree in your garden exposed to at least six hours of sunlight every day. Water the plant when the top 2″ (5 cm) layer of soil is dry on a regular basis. In hot weather, you may have to water the tree every other day.
When the nighttime temperature drops below 40°F (5°C), bring indoors. Indoors throughout the year, potted jacarandas don’t thrive. In temperate zones, keep them out until late spring and early autumn. To ensure that the soil receives enough nutrients, it’s also a good idea to refresh the compost yearly.
Jacaranda Tree Care Guide
In southern climates,jacarandas are easy to maintain. When it receives enough heat, light, and water, the tree flourishes. It is, however, critical to avoid watering the tree excessively; otherwise, it might contract root rot and foliar fungal diseases.
How to Water Jacaranda Tree
During the growing season, water a blue jacaranda tree once a week, and less often in the winter. Well-prepared soils with evenly moist and well-drained Jacaranda trees. As a result, you should water the root zone on a regular basis and avoid the soil from drying out. Watering a jacaranda tree when the top layer of soil is dry is the best time.
You should give the tree deep watering around the root area, not near the trunk, when watering it. Check that at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) of soil is damp to ensure the ground is sufficiently moist. You may need to water jacaranda trees every other day during periods of high heat or drought, despite the fact that it is recommended to water it once a week. From late autumn through the end of winter, I take water every month or so.
Fertilizing Jacaranda Tree for Healthy Growth
Annual fertilization with a balanced tree fertilizer is beneficial to a jacaranda tree. Slow-release fertilizer with a 10-10-10 NPK rating is ideal. Fertilize according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When it comes to fertilizing a blue jacaranda tree, here are a few guidelines:
- The tree may not produce enough blue flowers if you give it too much nitrogen.
- You don’t need to provide additional fertilization if the tree is growing near a fertilized lawn.
- In the spring, replacing chemical fertilizers with a lot of rotting manure is an excellent option.
Pruning Jacaranda Tree
It’s preferable to simply trim an developing jacaranda tree to produce the main stem or central leader. Nonetheless, to maintain its form or encourage development, an mature or developed jacaranda tree does not need pruning. The tree only needs to be pruned once a year in late winter, when dead or diseased branches are removed.
Jacaranda Tree Propagation
Gaining a jacaranda tree from seed takes longer than gaining one from a softwood cutting. You may remove a 6″ (15 cm) chunk from branch tips with two or three healthy buds and at least three nodes in the early spring. Wait for roots to appear (two weeks) after you put the cutting in a jar of water.
You may move the rooted cutting to a pot with a well-draining soilless potting mix once it has roots 1″ (2.5 cm) long. Let the cutting grow and develop for at least eight months in a sunny, warm environment. You may then put the nursery tree in your garden or a 5-gallon (19 l) pot after that.
Pests and Diseases Affecting Jacaranda Tree Growth
Jacaranda trees that are properly watered and maintained in full sun are rarely afflicted by pests. The trees are usually only attacked by bean aphids and scale insects. Nevertheless, they seldom damage the tree enough to have an impact.
Bean aphids (Aphis fabae) The jacaranda tree’s foliage and branches are covered with black bugs. Aphids feed on plant juices and bite into the delicate plant tissue, causing damage to the leaves. Around the tree, you may also see sticky amber honeydew and higher ant activity. To get rid of the bugs, use a garden hose.
Scale insects Since they seem like discolored bumpy growths on branches, jacaranda trees are difficult to spot. Scale usually isn’t a concern. You may, however, get some scale insect removal advice.
Glassy-winged sharpshooters Xylella fastidiosa is a deadly pathogen that infects pests. When the insects feed on leaves, they infect the tree. By stopping water that flows via the branches to the leaves, the microorganisms they disseminate cause scorch disease. Unfortunately, the tree will die after a long period of time without a cure.
Mushroom root rot Jacaranda trees may die as a result of this deadly illness. Overwatering or poorly draining soil is the underlying cause of the persistent fungal infection. Peeling bark will reveal a white fungal growth beneath, which you’ll notice.