Would like a jacaranda for front yard. Have to trade: LaceCap Hydrangeas SPider Plants Kalanchoe Sword-Leaf type ferns (don't know name) Begonias (tall kind, not small pot kind)

I would not recommend Crepe Myrtles AT ALL they provide ZERO shade and are best used as a border tree for privacy and they grow Straight up and down even as a mature tree. I always shake my head when people plant these in their front lawns as they are going to be very disappointed. They are the WORST tree for shade and are on the most hated list for tree preservation groups because the cities always tries to pass these off as planting shade trees to meet quota. They are again only good for border trees and a punch of color not a shade tree AT ALL. I always try to warn people away from planting these in their front lawn.. ughh ..I would pick a Jacaranda every time just plant it close to the edge of your front lawn so the roots are not a problem and provide shade to your lawn and sidewalk. Also FYI if the tree roots rise which they shouldn't if planted deep enough and in proper planting sacks , the city is responsible for maintaining that tree in most cities. Within 5-15 feet in from the sidewalk most cities have responsibility for tree growth maintenance ie tree roots which is why I encourage people to plant as close the curb as possible. Consult your local tree foundations as to city responsibility to canopy within 5-15 feet.. Also while these trees are incredibly fast growing trees it will take some time before it ever becomes an issue if at all, we are talking decades.. by then your tree is most likely under protection of city tree ordinances. LUCKY YOU!

you do not need 2 trees to get blooms ,,,, when the stars are right and they feel like it ,,they just begin ,,the older they get the more they bloom ... they bloom better after a little drougth stress ,, too much water and fertilizer makes rampant leaf growth at the expense of flowerbuds ,,, they bloom on older wood, rather than the young strong growth or right after pruning in drier places they tend to bloom before the leaves appear ( California ) in Florida and Texas , they bloom after the leaves come out

Hi everyone, Seriously considering the Monrovia dwarf jac - two of them for my small CA backyard. Eager to get more details on some of the comments above. Your feedback would be very helpful for me. I am expecting "fast growing" and no more than "12 ft" as the tag says. Bluesky Susan - looks like you have had it for about year..? Roughly how much has it grown? cwcervantes - Just making sure that you have a monrovia dwarf jacaranda, right? how tall is your tree? How long have you had it? Thanks in advance.