Purple trees in California – Dancing in the purple rain
In late spring, I started noticing these purple trees popping up all around our new home in southern California. So ethereal and vibrant, I was captivated. Purple has always been my favorite color.
I started taking walks simply to seek out more of these purple wonders. And eventually some meandering drives. I even got my kids in on it. They now gleefully exclaim “look, I found another purple tree!”
Dubbed purple rain, purple haze, purple fever, or even purple nightmare. The trees are inarguably beautiful, though not everyone is enamored with them. They can make a bit of a mess of your car if you have to park under one in bloom regularly.
Where did the purple trees in California come from?
Jacaranda mimosifolia, also known as blue jacaranda, or simply jacaranda is native to South America. Today, you can also find them in other sub-tropical climates, most notably in Australia, South Africa, Spain, and California. Some say these are California’s version of cherry blossoms.
The flowers are a violet-blue color, have a trumpeted shape, and several flowers are clustered together in a bunch. Kate Sessions, an American botanist and horticulturalist, is credited for introducing jacaranda to California.
When do purples trees bloom in California?
They typically bloom in late spring, a very welcome treat among June Gloom. This could be anytime from the end of May to the end of June in southern California depending on the year.
I’ve heard they can bloom again in autumn, but I didn’t notice this our first year in California. I will be eagerly anticipating their next bloom whether that be soon, or not until next spring.
Where can you find purple trees in Southern California?
If you frequently drive around Orange County in spring, it would be difficult to miss any jacarandas. But if you’re only visiting and hoping to spot some, Santa Ana probably has the most mature and grand jacaranda trees in Orange County. Try Linwood Avenue, Washington Avenue, Myrtle Street, Concord Street, and beyond. If they’re in bloom, you shouldn’t have trouble finding them, they’re all over. You can also find them in LA, San Deigo, and other spots in Southern California.
Many of the trees line residential streets, creating a beautiful purple canopy. If you plan to visit, please be respectful and act with decorum. Don’t block anyone’s driveway, the street or walk on people’s lawns.
Have you ever seen these purple trees? Where did you see them? If you are ever in Southern California or the other areas I mentioned in spring, don’t miss out on seeing these beauties.
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These are beautiful trees!
Incredible, right?!
I love the Jacaranda tree.. we have so many in Arizona it does look like purple snow as the flowers fall of! Beautiful pictures!!
Yes, that’s exactly right! I’m glad you get to experience them in Arizona too!
I don’t think I’ve seen trees like those before. They are beautiful!
I’d never seen them before a couple of years ago – such a treat!
I’ve never heard of this tree before- beautiful!
They’re worth seeking out if you’re ever visiting an area where they grow!
I grew up in Southern California so I’ve seen lots of jacarandas, and a friend of mine used to make the pods into jewelry. There are a few trees in Hawaii – not many.
Oh how interesting! I bet that was so beautiful, such a great color!
Wow what a beautiful place! I’ll have to go one day.
Yes, I recommend it!
What beautiful trees.
They’re really special, a highlight of spring here!
I’ve never heard of this before! They’re so pretty.
It seems like a lot of people never have!
I live in So Cal, a bit more north of you, and we have jacarandas all around here too. I love looking at them. So pretty and whimsical.
Exactly =) So happy you get to enjoy them too!
I am obsessed with those trees. Purple is my favorite color too! I doubt they would thrive here in Michigan though 🙁
I don’t think so, unfortunately. Purple is the best, right?! =D
Wow these trees are gorgeous! My favorite is cherry blossoms!
Cherry blossoms are so beautiful too. I would love to see them in Japan and DC some day.
How pretty!! I would be scoping them out too! Hope to see them one day.
I hope you get to too!
That image is incredible! I love those purple trees too! It makes me want to go to California.
Thank you, they’re really amazing. I hope you get to visit and see them one spring!
Wow! I love those–purple is one of my favorite colors. I would so look forward to those blooms every year. I’d never heard of them before.
They’re something special!
Those are some of my favorites and I really miss seeing them now that we don’t live in California anymore. Thanks for sharing their beauty with others!
I think they are still pretty unknown, but they’re so incredible. I’m sorry you don’t get to see them anymore, but at least you did at some point!
Oh how I wish we could have these in minnesota.
Sorry you can’t, they’re such a vibrant treat.
They are so beautiful. Makes me think of cherry blossom season, I always call it pink snow!
Yes, so similar just different colors!
What gorgeous trees! We don’t have those trees in MN. I just love the color purple!
The purple is so unique I think, I’m not sure how many other trees have such vibrant blooms.
What a lovely, beautiful scene to witness such natural beauty!
My thoughts exactly =)
How beautiful! I wouldn’t even care if they made a mess! Such a lovely colour 🙂
Me either! Then again, I haven’t had to deal with the mess directly…but still!!
The beauty far outweighs the brief mess they make. So gorgeous!
Focus on the beauty, it doesn’t last forever!
What beautiful trees! I imagine playing in them when there is a wind would be so magical…especially for the little ones.
Absolutely, it’s like purple rain or purple snow!
Beautiful trees. I hope to get out to California some day. I will have to look them up.
Definitely do, they’re worth it!
Those trees are so beautiful! I’ve heard of them but I haven’t even seen a photo of one. Thanks for sharing.
Of course, I’m glad you enjoyed seeing them virtually (for now)!
This is amazing!!! I’m so glad to run into your blog! The photos and adventures are awesome and a wonderful trip?