#October #Jacaranda #Pretoria #peak bloom

We drove to Pretoria today to check on the progress of the Jacaranda bloom. So glad we did because it was peak!

We drove around the city and visited the suggested streets that I gleaned from the Heritage Portal newsletter last year:

First we drove to 146 Celliers Street, the site of the two original jacaranda trees, Jacaranda Mimosifolio, from Rio de Janeiro. Planted in 1888 at Myrtle Lodge in Sunnyside, it is now part of Sunnyside Primary School. These trees are still standing and bear a bronze plaque and can be viewed during school hours. But since we drove up on a Sunday, we could only guess from outside the gate which ones we thought might be the original two trees.

Next we drove up Government Avenue to look for the section with the double rows of Jacarandas on either side of the street. This part of Government Avenue is the only street in Pretoria with double rows. They were planted like this to provide complete shade for the government officials walking to the Union Buildings from Bryntirion Estate. We drove up the hill past the Union Buildings and past the security gate in the back. There we found the beginning of the double row of Jacarandas!

one side of the street with its double rows flanking the sidewalk

 

shady walk

There were Jacarandas all around the Union Buildings and adjoining park too.

looking thru a Jacfrom the front of the park to the Union Buildings

I call this series "Let there be purple!" It looks like Nelson is conjuring up the Jacarandas to bloom.

Nelson looking over the park

 

 

Finally we sought out the white species of Jacaranda on Herbert Baker Street in the suburb of Groenkloof. Introduced in 1962 by a resident by the name of H. Bruinslich, they were imported from Peru. They were beautiful - especially against a backdrop of purple Jacaranda or red Bougainvillea.

Vince walking Lou & Serge on Herbert Baker St

looking through some white Jacaranda to a purple one

 White Jacs and red Bouganvillea ...

looking through red Bouganvillea to a white Jac blossom

Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses when you are Jac peeping.

And notice the other beautiful blooms.

Thanks Pretoria!