The jingling begins—the purple bells of jacaranda are sweeping through Brisbane Park!

Text and photos by /KUMA

Spring, flower-viewing season—this week I visited Riverside Community in Kaohsiung…

In 1997, Kaohsiung and Brisbane, Australia became sister cities. To commemorate their bond, Brisbane Park was established here in Riverside Community, where 100 jacaranda trees—the city flower of Brisbane—were planted. As the golden rain tree blossom season comes to an end, the jacaranda trees in Riverside Community take center stage. On this day, with the southern breeze blowing, I soaked in the silent romance and happiness beneath the pale purple bell-like flowers.

Last year when I came to photograph the golden rain trees, it was in the afternoon, and the park was filled with people exercising and relaxing. This time, I chose to come in the morning to photograph the jacaranda, and indeed, I avoided the crowds.

The jacaranda trees in Brisbane Park have not been well cared for, so their flowering is somewhat sparse. I hope that with Kaohsiung’s urban tree renewal plan, these trees will also receive better care. I look forward to seeing them grow stronger in the coming years and burst into magnificent blooms, creating an enchanting sea of purple.

The sky was cloudy today, and the strong southern wind kept blowing the clouds over the sun. Besides the flickering light, the flowers kept swaying, making them difficult to photograph.

The fluttering purple bells resemble the bells in a European church, swaying left and right with the wind. Though silent, they bring a sense of happiness to those who come to admire them.

The fallen blossoms dot the ground with a faint purple hue.

Due to different varieties, the jacaranda trees here still have leaves when they bloom. I’ve seen photos online of another variety where the entire tree is covered in purple flowers—it’s truly spectacular and beautiful.

While taking photos of the flowers, thunder rumbled overhead, and two transport planes flew by.

Hanging on the branches, round and flat, are the jacaranda’s seed pods; they are green when immature and turn dark brown when ripe. Kaohsiung’s urban trees are also undergoing a species replacement process, and I’m really looking forward to seeing a Kaohsiung covered in blooming flowers and becoming even more beautiful.

Jacaranda: Also known as Brazilian jacaranda, African jacaranda, narrow-leaved jacaranda, western jacaranda, or purple cloud tree, it is introduced for ornamental gardening and as a street tree.

This year, due to lack of rainfall, the flowers bloomed early. The golden rain trees nearby missed their blooming period this year, which is a pity.

After enjoying the jacaranda, I got ready to leave and head to other places to admire more flowers… ^^

Finally, here’s a bonus—three photos of the golden rain trees from Riverside Community last year.

Riverside Community is lively in spring. In the same area, as one side’s golden rain blossoms fade, the jacaranda on the other side takes the stage, creating a “purple and gold intoxication.”

Golden-yellow flowers and soft purples create a springtime “purple and gold intoxication,” making one feel drunk in a dreamy haze of gentle floral fragrance. I love the harbor city of Kaohsiung, and I also love this Kaohsiung bursting with blossoms.

Attraction: Brisbane Park – Jacaranda
Address: Heqi Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City
 

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