The Society of Municipal Arborists has selected Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) as the 2023 Urban Tree of the Year. You may not be able to grow this tree if you live in a cold northern region, but although it needs a warm climate (USDA zones 10-11), mature trees can withstand a brief, mild freeze. So you might want to try it if you live in an area that only gets an occasional light frost.
The tree is native to southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina, but it's also of note in almost every subtropical climate, including parts of Australia, South Africa, India, Myanmar, Spain, Chile and the United States.
It's grown, of course, for its lovely violet-blue flowers in spring, which completely cover the tree following a brief deciduous period. The large, medium-green leaves are bipinnately compound and resemble those of mimosa. The jacaranda has an open, upright form and grows best in full sun, although it can take part shade.
Felipe Alberto Fuentes Ramirez, an urban planner in Chile, says the tree's "large, fragrant, violet-blue flowers make it one of the favorite species to planjt along the streets and avenues of Santiago. That said, it should be noted that jacaranda's canopy provides a modest amount of shade."
Jacaranda is moderately fast growing and usually reaches around 35 feet high and wide, although with the right conditions it can grow much higher.
Certainly something to contemplate if you're in the right region and are looking for a tree that's a little different.
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