Editorial photo #13642701 Weather

Jacaranda Bloom Turns Kathmandu Purple

Vehicles travel on a section of road in Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 29, 2026, as blooming Jacaranda trees paint the city purple. The streets and corners of Kathmandu's main road section are adorned with purple flowers, commonly known as Jacaranda, which reach full bloom during March and April. Known scientifically as Jacaranda Mimosifolia, these flowers have decorated the Nepali capital for over a century and a half. Each year, the roads of Kathmandu are covered with the flowers of the Jacaranda, also called the Hawaiian mimosa tree, which are sensitive to breeze and light showers. It is believed that the Rana rulers introduced the plant, which grows from cuttings or grafting by seedling rootstock and typically takes two to three years to bloom. This genus thrives in full sun and sandy soils, explaining its abundance in warmer climates. Mature plants can survive in colder climates down to -7 ?C (19 ?F), although they may not bloom as profusely. Younger plants are more fragile and may not survive in colder climates when temperatures drop below freezing. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)