Editorial photo #13642716 Weather

Jacaranda Bloom Turns Kathmandu Purple

A Nepali woman walks below blooming Jacaranda trees in Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 29, 2026. The streets and corners of Kathmandu's main road are awash with purple flowers, commonly called Jacaranda, which reach full bloom during March and April. Known as Jacaranda Mimosifolia, these purple flowers have decorated the Nepali capital for over a century and a half. Every year, the roads of Kathmandu are painted purple with the flowers of the Jacaranda, also known as the Hawaiian mimosa tree, which are sensitive to breeze and light showers. It is believed that 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 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. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)