As a former So Cal person, I'm guessing what you saw are the Jacaranda trees. They're gorgeous; just don't park your car under them.

Okay, as a lifelong easterner, I'll bite. What happens if you park your car under them?

WW

Yes! thank you Toad_Ca, I do believe thats it!
You people are such a great help! Thanks thanks thanks!!!!

Probably rhe information below about parking beneath. I've heard similar complaints about Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera.

3The Jacaranda is not a great tree to grow where cars are likely park beneath since the flowers drop heavily and are sticky. Large seed pods also form and will eventually drop so this is not a neat, clean tree and will require some clean up.

Thanks...

WW

You know, I think it might be Jackaranda filicifolia also known as 'The Fern Tree'! Both filicifolia and mimosafolia are similar except that mimosafolia has much paler and slightly smaller flowers. The depth of colour in your pictures look to be nearer a deep violet blue, which is the colour of filicifolia. Mimosafolia is grown widely here along the east coast of New South Wales, Australia, and in fact my old hort. teacher reckoned they grow better here than in their native Brazil. The village of Grafton here has a 'Jackaranda festival' every year - they have avenues of them. I have one in my front garden and while the gound and lawn looks lovely covered in blue flowers around November/December, I certainly don't park my car under it. Not only do their mimosa like leaves fall and get into every nook and cranny just before flowering, but the sky-blue flowers, while they look lovely as a ground carpet, can make a mess of your car. There is also a white variety. All 3 are indeed lovly trees.

The flower color sometimes varies from light to deeper lavender depending on available light & humidity--overcast days make them look darker. The ones I've seen around here look as if they're J. mimosafolia.

Carol23 has it right. It's not just all the flowers falling (and falling and falling); it's the sticky goo that comes with them. But they ARE really beautiful.

Doesn't look like there's a lot of cloud in the pic! And that one is very much a deeper blue than mine, and also a taller tree, whereas mimosafolia is not as tall but is broader; as mine is. I had a picture once which I sent a gardening friend in Canada but oddly enough I can't now locate it. Must have deleted it.