A Rite of Spring By Photographer, Storyteller & Contributor Steve Tabor
A Rite of Spring
By Photographer, Storyteller & Contributor Steve Tabor
The lavender blooms of the Jacaranda trees are a sure sign that Spring as arrived. Jacarandas can grow upwards of 60 ft. high with a canopy that spreads equal to its height. The flowers grow in groups known as panicles. The blooms can remain for as long as two months before giving way to woody seed pods about two inches in diameter that contain several winged seeds.
Southern California makes an excellent home for these trees because of its moderate temperatures. Jacarandas grow best in environments where there is no risk of frost. However, mature trees can survive short periods of frost with little to no damage. The trees grown along the Southern California Coast maybe be somewhat hampered because of the milder temperatures and cool ocean breezes.
Jacaranda trees can be found throughout the United States and the world in similar climates to Southern California. In the Southwest United States, Jacarandas are found in sections of Arizona and Texas as well as Florida. In Europe, they are found along the Mediterranean Coast in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and the islands of Malta and Cyprus. They are also found in South China, Australia, and Africa.
Native Californian Kate Sessions is credited with introducing the Jacaranda and several other species of plants and trees to Southern California. Originally, raised in the San Francisco Bay area at the time of the gold rush, her mother sparked her interest in plants. After graduating from U.C. Berkeley, she eventually took a teaching job in San Diego. After one year, she left the teaching profession to follow her passion and opened her first plant nursery.
Her business became so successful that she opened additional nurseries across the City of San Diego. Her reputation grew and she became an influential figure in the creating parks out of undeveloped parcels. She is fondly referred to as “the Mother of Balboa Park.”
Sessions continued her quest as she entered into lease agreements with city officials that allowed her to develop other vacant parcels in exchange for her cost to create garden-like environments using Jacarandas and other trees and plants. Soon the popularity of the Jacaranda spread from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
It was estimated in 2010 that the City of Los Angeles Jacaranda population included 148,530 trees.
Sources:
Growing Jacaranda Trees: How to Plant and Care for a Jacaranda Tree by Ann Baley
The History of Those Beautiful Jacaranda In Bloom Around L.A. by Brittany Martin
The Story Behind LA’s Beautiful Ephemeral Jacaranda Blooms by Julie Wick
Jacaranda mimosifolia Wikipedia
Steve Tabor Bio
This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.
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