As somebody who has tried and (after the winter of 2010/11) given up on trying to grow tropical and semi-tropical plants I do sympathise with your wish. I'm afraid though that not only will it not flower but you will, in Herts., be very lucky to keep it alive at all. If you were in south Cornwall or better still, the Scilly Isles then you may keep it going but I'm afraid you have next to no chance. You may ask why I, on the Yorkshire Coast, would know about this but actually it is winter temperatures that are most important and my micro-climate isn't at all bad (except 2010/11). My own advice would be to find something more suited to the UK. Sorry but I think that is realist.

I don't know of any growing outside in UK, rather doubtful I suspect.

Growing one in a pot is possible if you have a good (full sun) space for it in a well-ventilated conservatory and are prepared to pot it on year on year. I would imagine 5 to 6 years before it might flower.

Thanks very much Sarraceniac and Fractal cat. The GC which gave the advice is in Cornwall, so this question was a bit hopeful really. Maybe we'll buy a Bougainvillea instead, and keep it warm! I'm grateful that you took the trouble to advise me.

Having used Burncoose for mail order for many years, I can safely say they know what they are talking about.

Yes, I think they do Andrew - thanks. It still seems a little strange that they sell Jacaranda trees!

I grew one in my Spanish garden Sheila, but the second winter we had low temps and that was that...they are so tender, we just don't have the sun or the level of light for them. Do you know I would love a Melia tree (Persian lilac, Chinaberry), we had a lovely one in Spain, beautiful glossy fernlike leaves, scented airy lilac sprays in spring, and yellow berries, that look like cherries all through the winter. You do need a large place though, and that we have not got....:((

I do sympathise - I would so love one as well.

Jacaranda trees grow well in Johannesburg, where in winter it can snow and get reach freezing point - it can get to 0C at night quite often in winter. The difference is that winters in ZA are dry and the temps raise above 0C during the day, so it is short bursts of freezing in dry conditions. In the UK we have wet winters and the temp can stay at or below 0C for days/weeks, so whilst it is frost hardy, that is short bursts in dry climates.

http://www.johannesburg-direct.com/activity/see-the-jacaranda-trees

They lose leaves in winter (they look like mimosa or acacia), so if you overwinter it in a corner of a conservatory and take it out in the summer then it should flower, eventually. I would buy a larger one rather than seed or a tiny sapling, as they take years to flower and will be more hardy the larger they are.

Oooh! Memories! My friend in India (Kerala) had a Jacaranda tree in her garden leading onto the backwaters. I used to sit near it and watch the purple herons fishing and the teal flying home in a flock after a day out. I think you'll just have to have a 'virtual' Jacaranda, Sheila.

Thank you very much Kildermorie - and Nariz. We don't have a conservatory, but, while searching the Net for apartments in Adelaide (to visit next March), OH came across one with a gorgeous Jacaranda out front. So I have that permanently on my computer screen, and will be happy with that - for now!

Whoops - sorry - didn't mean to ignore you Janey and Stera! Love the sound of your Melia tree Janey - would that be hardy in the UK . . . the flowers sound similar to Jacaranda?

Thanks Stera - we'll just have to think of an alternative :))

The screen saver is a good idea...

In the colder parts of the States, Jacarandas are occasionally used indoors as a foliage plant, for their bright green, ferny leaves. Getting it to blooming size in the UK would probably take a heated greenhouse of the size of, say, Kew!

Thanks Tugbrethil . . . OK, I accept defeat!