Jacaranda mimosifolia is a spectacular tree, native to the tropical regions of Bolivia and Argentina. It bears masses of vibrant purple-blue flowers in late-spring and again in autumn, and is a popular street tree and garden specimen in warmer climates. While many people fall in love with Jacaranda tree while on holiday and want to grow it at home, it's a frost-tender deciduous tree that needs a warm growing environment with a minimum temperature of 5°C. However, the dwarf grafted form, Jacaranda ‘Bonsai Blue’, makes it possible to grow Jacaranda in a pot, so you can grow it outdoors in summer and move it under cover for winter.
An unmistakable and glorious sight when in flower, Jacaranda flowers in spring and early summer, bearing many small flowers in large pyramidal clusters. Individual blooms are 3-5cm long, rich purple-blue with a white throat. Flowers are borne on the bare stems before the leaves, or just as the leaves are emerging. Leaves are bright, mid green, and divided.
Jacaranda mimosifolia reaches a height of 15m and a spread of 10m. The dwarf variety ‘Bonsai Blue’ is much more compact, with a height of 1.5m and spread of 45cm.
Pot on into the next size up of container, in late winter or early spring, until reaching a maximum pot size of 45cm high and wide. Thereafter, top dress annually in late winter by carefully removing the top several centimetres of compost and replacing with fresh material.
