"I have no hesitation in saying that each one of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa trees of the bushveld." - Nelson Mandela
I live in Pretoria, South Africa. Also known as the Jacaranda City for its estimated 70 000 Jacaranda trees growing all over our fair city.
Once a year, from September to November, the city is covered in a magical purple brilliance.
With warm weather and spring in the air. Driving around our neighbourhood is a feast of colour and sensations.
On the flip-side, they are messy trees, the decomposing flowers smell awful and are a slippery hazard for vehicles on the road. Driving with my kids at the moment it like water torture with them shouting ‘Purple tree! Purple tree! Purple tree! Purple tree!’ all the way to the shops and back. (they both love purple!)
Jacaranda trees are not indigenous to South Africa and are considered invader trees. It’s believed that the first Jacaranda trees were brought to Pretoria by a resident from Brazil in 1829. But…. If you want to see Pretorians up in arms, just mention a slight chance of a thought that the trees should be removed. Just not something that will happen – EVER. We love the purple splendour!
Jacarandas come in red, yellow and the sterile white Jacaranda of which we have about 100 trees all in one street.
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Our fair city in full bloom
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Our sexy puple city
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@naomi.louise