The jacaranda season in Queensland usually spans a few weeks from late September to November. So, sadly, their spectacular purple haze is at an end in my neck of the woods. Indeed, only a few trees around the place still display their purple blooms. I took a few photos over the six weeks that they dot the skyline. I wanted to share them in my post today.
The jacaranda isn’t native to Australia, though. It’s indigenous to South America (Brazil, Argentina). But their reach now extends far beyond that continent. And because this is a perfume blog, you may wonder if the blooms are fragrant. Well, for mine, I don’t detect any aroma. However, I’ve read that some jacarandas have a mild honey scent, and others smell like grape soda. Whatever the case, they’re stunning to look at and enjoy as the spring months slowly roll into summer.
I’ve only seen jacaranda used in perfume compositions on two occasions. The Argentinian brand Fueguia 1833 employs it in a couple of their fragrances. For their 2022 release Milonga Verde, they give it a woody slant. The sour, bitter opening trailing out to a green, smoky finish. Their helpfully named Jacarandá perfume from 2010 gives the scented impression of freshly varnished wooden furniture. The woody facets are piney and resinous with echoes of the D.S. & Durga scent Bowmakers. Jacarandá is my favourite of these two extremely pricey scents.
Note: All pictures are my own.
Stunning pictures! I didn’t know about the Jacaranda scents. Tks for sharing the wonders of Australia! 💜
Thanks very much, Tetê! Yes, the scents are abstract, because I don’t pick up much of a fragrance from the jacaranda. Pricey brand too.
I love how they seem to color the city purple! It would be amazing if they also scented the air of grape soda. Can’t have everything, I guess…
It’s probably my favourite time of the year for nature watching. And yes, I’d love it if they had a grape soda scent!
Jacaranda trees are so beautiful, Daniel. I’ve never seen one in person, only in photos. I can imagine how vibrant and surreal these trees are standing right in front of one. There are a few examples where Jacaranda wood is used as a note in perfumery, mostly for structure. I know one example I’ve had the chance to sample, and it was wonderful. You might want to check out Jacaranda by Fueguia 1833.
They’re stunning indeed. Ah yes, I make mention of that scent in my final paragraph. It’s a good one for sure. I hope you get to see a jacaranda in person someday, Flaconneur.
Great pix. They must give the city & parks a feeling of a smoky purple haze when viewed from afar.
I think I’ve seen jacaranda & bougainvillea paired in gardens in southern Europe & the Canaries. Such a riot of fuchsia pink & purple.
Shame there’s no noticeable aroma from them. Being so bright will be enough to attract the pollinators anyway
Thanks very much. Yes, they’re so vibrant in the spring months. Indeed, they attract plenty of bees.
Love seeing jacaranda season on your side of the world, dear Daniel, and so beautifully captured. In Johannesburg and Pretoria (also known as “Jacaranda City”), there’s always a wonderful purple display. Although with climate warming, it’s starting to change.
Thanks, Rich. I’ve just googled Pretoria and Jo’burg jacarandas and the photos are stunning. I never knew Pretoria was known as “Jacaranda City”.
Yip, although JHB is a very close second.