Nepali capital Kathmandu turns purple as Jacaranda blooms

Kathmandu: The streets and corners of Kathmandu’s main road section are awash with purple flowers commonly called “Jacaranda” which goes into full bloom during the month of March and April. Called Jacaranda Mimosifolia, the purple flower has always been used to decorate the Nepali capital Kathmandu, a tradition that has been kept for at least a century and a half.

Every year the road of Kathmandu’s ring road and Kings Way are painted purple with flowers of Jacaranda also called the Hawaiian mimosa tree which cannot resist breeze and light showers.

It is believed that Rana rulers brought in the plant which grows from cuttings or grafting by seedling rootstock and normally takes two to three years to bloom. This genus thrives in full sun and sandy soils, which explains their abundance in warmer climates. Mature plants can survive in colder climates down to -7 °C (19 °F); however, they may not bloom as profusely. Younger plants are more fragile and may not survive in colder climates when temperatures drop below freezing.