THE streets of Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley have come alive with vibrant shades of purple jacarandas (jacaranda mimosifolio), which bloom each year through late spring and early summer.
Jacaranda trees have been growing steadily in Australia for more than 150 years, giving a combination of shade and beauty to our surroundings. The prevalence of jacarandas growing in gardens and along streetscapes in Australia has led many to believe that they are native. These stunning purple trees are not Australian but are native to areas in South and Central America. Yet they thrive in warm temperate climates like our own.
Baby jacarandas are sensitive to cool weather and frost and require regular watering to become established. Once they are, jacaranda trees are quite dry-tolerant. A good mulching with organic materials, such as compost, bark or straw will help to retain soil moisture through summer.
Start searching for jacarandas here:
Queens Gardens, Shepparton
Along Nixon Street, Shepparton
McKinney Street, Shepparton
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LILAC LOVE… Closer to home than in Japan, jacaranda trees drive tourists to Sydney each year to cherish these blossoms. 
PURPLE RAIN… A tree-lined street raining with purple fl owers is symbolic of the end of spring and start of warmer weather, like how Japan’s cherry blossoms mark the changing of seasons. 
WELCOMING WARM WEATHER… The changing of trees to purple in late spring and early summer marks the changing of seasons. Photos: Kelly Lucas.
