I would like to know if anyone has grown Jacaranda in zones lower than 9b? What are your experiences and maybe tips for protecting it from the cold. I am also curious how tall it gets in zone 9a/b.
Thanks

Now that you brought up this cool tree, check this picture out...its from last year in Santa Ana California...

Since they are deciduous I would think they would be fine in 9b, but don't take my word for it...I live in Santa Ana where they are common street trees.

ctcarol said:Since they are deciduous I would think they would be fine in 9b, but don't take my word for it...I live in Santa Ana where they are common street trees.

That's where I took that pic at!!! I was visiting an uncle...

They are very common here, and I love seeing them...but not in my yard. They are very messy and prone to wind damage.
To quote Sunset Western Garden Book "The tree gains hardiness with maturity. Young trees are tender below 25 degrees F, but often rebound from freezes to make multistemmed, shrubby plants."

Jacarandas get huge, 50ft. tall and wide here as long as they don't get smashed by a hurricane. Beautiful trees, lovely fragrant flowers but as Carol says, they are messy and weak.

If you were to try one in a cold zone, and protect it while it was small it might make a nice landscape tree, but might not get quite so big since it would be dormant a lot longer each year than here.

If I were trying that, I'd for sure plant it on the protected south side of your house or another building to give it the most chance of escaping cold damage.

Messy is a good term because it seems to always be dropping something. If it is located away from concrete surfaces so that it only drops in the grass, you will be much happier. I'm not sure weak is as good a discription as brittle. Any little wind can snap a branch. Also, the trunk may split into segments. I had to drill through the trunk use threaded bolts to hold the trunk together or it would have split into 3 parts.

I live in Tampa, zone 9B and have had no problem with cold damage. Just protect it some while it is small and that won't be long as it is a fast grower. Be patient for blooms. It takes several years for them to set flowers.

Jim

DD has those trees all over her neighborhood in San Diego. They were huuuge! They were in bloom while we were there earlier in June. Just beautiful!

ShadyGreenThumb said:DD has those trees all over her neighborhood in San Diego. They were huuuge! They were in bloom while we were there earlier in June. Just beautiful!

Yup!! They are all over the place...