Jacaranda mimosifolia
 
Common Names: Jacaranda, Blue Jacaranda, Fern Tree, Purple Trumpet Tree
 
Zones: 9B–11
 
A semi-deciduous tree native to South America (primarily Bolivia and Argentina), Jacaranda mimosifolia is celebrated worldwide for its breathtaking spring display of lavender-blue trumpet-shaped flowers. With its fern-like foliage and spreading canopy, it adds elegance and seasonal drama to subtropical and Mediterranean landscapes. Though frost-sensitive, it thrives in warm climates with well-drained soils.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright to spreading; rounded canopy; moderate growth rate
Height: Typically 25–40 ft (7.6–12 m); can reach 50 ft (15 m) in ideal conditions
Trunk: Light gray to brown; smooth when young, becoming rough with age
Leaves: Bipinnately compound; fine-textured; bright green; semi-deciduous in cooler zones
Inflorescence: Terminal panicles of lavender-blue trumpet-shaped flowers; bloom late spring to early summer
Fruit: Woody, flattened capsules; contain winged seeds; persistent but not showy
Ecology: Native to subtropical forests; supports pollinators; non-invasive in most U.S. regions
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy to loamy; well-drained; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH
Temperature: Tolerates 25–100°F (–4 to 38°C); thrives in 70–90°F (21–32°C)
Humidity: Moderate; adapted to subtropical and Mediterranean climates
Propagation: By seed or softwood cuttings; seed-grown trees may take years to flower
Tolerance: Heat and drought tolerant; frost-sensitive; not salt-tolerant
 
Landscape Use
Best suited for specimen plantings, avenue trees, and subtropical gardens. Its dramatic floral display and airy foliage make it a favorite in civic landscapes and botanical collections. Pairs well with Tabebuia impetiginosa, Cassia fistula, and Lagerstroemia indica in warm-climate ornamental designs.