Editorial photo #13642718 Weather
Jacaranda Bloom Turns Kathmandu Purple
People sit below blooming Jacaranda trees in Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 29, 2026. The streets and corners of Kathmandu's main road 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 painted purple with these flowers, 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 their abundance in warmer climates. Mature plants can survive in colder climates down to -7 ?C (19 ?F), though 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)
