Purple rain: Chasing Johannesb

Admiring the jacaranda trees in Parkwood. Image : Lorne Philpot

Purple rain: Chasing Johannesburg’s jacarandas on an e-scooter [photos]

With most jacaranda trees in full bloom now is the time to get out there and enjoy the spectacular displays these trees provide once a year.

Purple rain: Chasing Johannesb

Admiring the jacaranda trees in Parkwood. Image : Lorne Philpot

Johannesburg is not officially known as the Jacaranda City, but it certainly is home to a fine collection of these trees, scattered plentifully throughout the City of Gold. Most jacaranda trees are now in full bloom, rendering magnificent floral displays across the city.

The species which is native to South America, has given spaces across South Africa a unique springtime character by transforming landscapes into spectacular botanical sights – even if only for a few weeks of the year.   

ALSO READ: Warning sign: Why are jacarandas in SA flowering earlier than usual?

EXPLORING JACARANDAS IN ‘THE PARKS’

Since the jacaranda season has reached its peak, now is the perfect time to get out and take in some spectacular floral displays before the season ends for this year. 

“The Parks” is home to lots of established jacaranda trees that are now in full bloom, making it the ideal stomping ground for avid jacaranda seekers.

The Parks in northern Johannesburg includes some of the city’s leafiest neighbourhoods, boasting wide tree-lined streets and some prime real estate.  The area includes suburbs such as Parkwood, Parkview, Parktown North, Saxonwold, Westcliff and surrounding areas.

Follow this scenic route to enjoy some of Johannesburg’s best jacaranda displays this year.

Spectacular floral displays in Parkwood. Image : Lorne Philpot

JACARANDA JOYRIDE ON AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER

Setting out from the Radisson Red Rosebank Hotel (armed with helmets and electric scooters from Honest Travel Experience) we headed down Rosebank Road (a side street near the hotel) to admire the overhead purple canopies provided by the blooming jacaranda trees. Then we turned into Keyes Avenue, stopping briefly at the Keyes Art Mile for refreshments and photos.  

Back on the scooters, we headed over Bolton Road into the Parkwood area – which is where the real beauty lies.  Most of the jacaranda-lined streets there boast purple treetops as well as showerings of lilac petals beneath the trees.  

Armed with helmets and an electric scooter, the joyride is about to begin! Image: Lorne Philpot

Continuing the journey, we headed on over to Saxonwold, where the scenery changed a little. Many of the streets are lined with oak trees, which provides a stark contrast to the purple hues just a few streets away.

We then made our way back to Rosebank taking in more magnificent displays provided by the jacaranda trees en route.  Returning to the hotel signals the end of the journey on the e-scooter but the fun did not end here.

JACARANDAS FROM THE ROOFTOP

The hotel’s rooftop bar was the next stop.  This is the perfect place for aerial views of the surrounding jacaranda trees as well as panoramic views across the city. Sipping away on a gin and tonic, admiring the spectacular all-around views was the ideal way to end the Johannesburg In Your Pocket event.

Panoramic views from the Radisson Red Rosebank Hotel’s rooftop bar. Image: Lorne Philpot