This Jacaranda season is the dreamiest yet!
As if San Diego couldn’t get any dreamier, our jacaranda trees are in full bloom! That’s right, their purple flowers are dominating San Diego views, and we couldn’t be happier. We are lucky to have about 12,000 jacaranda trees lining our parks and beautiful streets.
If you think these gorgeous trees are on another level this year, you aren’t alone. San Diego County posted this lovely picture of the jacaranda trees in Waterfront Park surrounding the County Administration Center.
The jacarandas are in full bloom in the Waterfront Park surrounding the County Administration Center. pic.twitter.com/z5Da5wwfjf
— SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) May 26, 2022
Jacarandas are indigenous to South America, originally found in Argentina and Brazil’s tropical and subtropical regions. Next time a jacaranda flower drops on your head, thank your lucky star because it symbolizes good fortune. This beautiful and fragrant tree represents wisdom, rebirth, wealth, and good luck! The name jacaranda comes from the South American language, Guarani, which means ‘fragrant.’
Jacaranda’s history in San Diego began in the 1890s. Kate Sessions was a famed horticulturist known to be the first to plant the trees in San Diego. She planted 100 new trees in Balboa Park every year as well as a few hundred in public places.
These fragrant trees have a very long blooming season. It starts in March and lasts well into September or even October! There are two blooming peaks within this long season, firstly in March and late May.
If you want to get in on the purple haze? You can “plant” your own tree through the city’s Free Tree program. You do have to commit to helping it get started, water-wise, but the city will take care of the planting. Based on planting season and other factors, you may have to wait a few months for your tree to get in the ground.
The program aims to work together with San Diegans to increase San Diego’s tree canopy cover, creating a more livable and sustainable community!
Once the Free Tree is planted, the City asks that you water it for three years during what is known as “the tree establishment period.” You can find more information about the ‘Watering Schedule’ here.
You must meet the following conditions to receive a Free Tree for your parkway:
- The location of your address must be within the city of San Diego.
- The resident or property owner must agree to water the tree for three years per given watering guidelines.
- A city arborist will review your parkway to determine the appropriate species and quantity of trees.
- The resident or property owner must understand that driveways, street corners, fire hydrants, existing trees, and other objects may limit where trees can be planted.
- Future tree locations must contain existing topsoil or natural turf since the City does not remove landscaping and does not plant in gravel or rock gardens.
The vibrant jacaranda flowers and their sweet perfume is really the cherry on top of another gorgeous Spring here in San Diego. We hope you enjoy the beautiful purple haze in America’s Finest City!