In October more than 70,000 Jacaranda trees are in full bloom in Pretoria. The entire city becomes a magnificent display of colour.
The Jacaranda tree is not native to Africa, they were imported from South America around 1888 when the Gold Rush was happening in Gauteng. Pretoria, is the administrative capital of South Africa and lies about 50km North of Johannesburg. Pretoria ( Tshwane ) is on average about 3 degrees warmer than Johannesburg so they bloom a few weeks earlier here.
They don’t last very long, the best time is usually the second or third week in October, just after the first good rain.
My first memory of a Jacaranda was of my mom, she planted one on the pavement of our house and took great joy in nurturing it and admiring the flowers each spring time. As I got older I grew to love the start of spring, the dark storming sky always made the perfect backdrop for the vibrant purple trees. After a storm, the freshly strewn purple carpet on the pavements and roads made the streets of Johannesburg and Pretoria look like a wonderland.
I then discovered the fun accidentally of the “ popping flowers “ one day. I was driving down the back roads of Kensington after a particularly bad storm with my window open breathing in the fresh, crispy air when I heard the flowers pop after I drove over them. A feeling of guilt swept over me at the thought of squashing these magical fairies, but at the same time the naughty thrill took over as they went “ pop, pop pop “
These popular trees were planted along every new street built in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Suburbs are known for the beautiful purple colour but there are also white Jacarandas to be found in Pretoria. I have also heard they are found in Harare in Zimbabwe.
There are many viewing spots of the blossom – bedecked trees. Some of the better known locations are:
Pretoria
- The Union Buildings, the surrounding streets are often fill of tourists buses.
Brooklyn area especially along Pienaar and Murray street - Herbet Baker Street – White Jacarandas can be seen here up up to Klapperkop Nature Reserve
- Suburbs of Sunnyside and Muckleneuk and Groenkloof
- Streets of particular beauty include Johnston, Reitz, Bourke, Troye and Loveday steets.
Johannesburg
- Kensington has the magnificent purple tunnel on Highland road which weaves past Kensington Castle.
- Parkwood as well as Saxonwold have beautiful canopied trees. One of the better roads is Bath Avenue.
- Melville is combination of purple Jacarandas and pink bougainvilleas.
Dunkled, Greenside, Melrose, Rosebank and Killarney also have beautiful tree lined streets. - For the best viewing points head up to Linksfield Ridge entering through Club Street. Munro Drive in Houghton and the historic 210 Westcliff Steps will all give you breathtaking views of the city and the purple canopies form different angles
- If a walking tour interest you the Joburg Heritage Foundation is the best to contact.
Jacaranda Fun Facts
- 146 Celliers Street in Pretoria has a plaque commemorating the first two Jacaranda trees planted in the city in 1888. The saplings came from Rio De Janeiro, and were imported by a Cape Botanist, Mr Templeman. They were planted in the garden of Myrtle Lodge owned by Mr Celliers of which the location today is on the Sunnyside School Campus.
- Jacranda FM, a popular local radio station is name after the trees.
- According to The Star Newspaper of 1945, Johannesburg’s first Jacaranda tree was planted in Doornfontein. It is said that William Nelson, the owner of Nelson Nurseries, grew some 30 million trees, shrubs and plants by 1896, many were Jacarandas. The article claims that he planted over 100km of trees along the streets of the suburb of Kensington.
- Jacaranda means “ fragrant “ in native South American dialect
- In 2001 the trees where declared a “ category 3 invader tree” as they take over from our indigenous trees. So now when they die new trees may not be planted,instead they are replaced with local specimens.
- Around 1870 the city of Pretoria was known as City of Roses. Over the years as the purple layer grew the name changed to Jacaranda City.
- There are about 100 white Jacarandas on Herbet Baker Street. It is said they were imported by H. Bruinslich from Peru in 1962.
- The trees live for about 200 years
The Jacaranda tree is synonymous to Johannesburg and Pretoria. The purple petals are expected to line our streets for at least another 90 years. So while their beauty lingers on in our old suburban streets, enjoy the magic and splendour of these trees.
