I was born in Sydney and, until two years ago, lived my whole life there. I grew up with a sense of wonder for the jacarandas that are throughout the city. When I studied at Sydney University I, like thousands of students before me, recognised the beauty of the jacaranda in the main quadrangle.
Sadly that tree, aged somewhere between 77-85 years, died in 2016. Many mourned its loss. It’s since been replaced with a clone from the original.
I miss little of Sydney but in November I yearn for the jacarandas. They are best planted in parks where there is plenty of space for them to stretch and grow.
In Sydney, I used to live near a park, which is where I took these photos. Look at the gnarled branches and the glorious colour of the flowers. Jacarandas have a majesty and I often hugged this tree. I swear it appreciated the hug.
Jacarandas are not Australian native plants (they are native to South America) although they are prolific in the warmer areas of our country. Many towns have festivals to celebrate their blooming. I recall our family driving to Grafton for their jacaranda festival when I was a child. The impact has stayed with me.
I long to be surrounded by Sydney’s jacarandas. It’s a piece of my life that I miss. Perhaps it’s really homesickness?