In spring, Brisbane bursts into purple. Jacaranda mimosifolia has been widely planted in parks and streets, and many of the trees are mature, reaching up to18 metres and arcing beautifully against the blue.

The tree is a native of Brazil but thrives here. It's deciduous, losing its leaves in the dry season and then producing new ones after the flowers and during the wet. Apparently, you shouldn't prune a Jacaranda. If you do, it sends up vertical shoots and the tree loses its elegant umbrella shape.

There's a dash of purple around every corner, popping up between buildings, dotted along the river and offsetting other wonderful spring colours. New Farm Park is full of Jacaranda.

This post was last edited on 11 November 2012