Winter in Brasília usually marks the arrival of the dry season and lower temperatures. However, a beautiful phenomenon takes place this time of year, the blossoming of the Ipê trees. The first flowers to appear are the purple ones, usually at the end of June.
It is common to bump into someone photographing or filming an Ipê. They are in the traditional postcards of the city, such as the Esplanada dos Ministérios and in front of the Cathedral of Brasilia. Also present in the neighborhoods, they transform asphalt and sidewalks into large flower carpets.
The coloration causes controversy because some people are in doubt if the flowers are pink or really purple. Experts say the flower show has a short duration, on average, 15 days.
Ipê became Brazil’s National Flower after the publication of Law no. 6,507, in 1978. The Companhia Urbanizadora da Nova Capital do Brasil (Novacap) is responsible for the seedlings of Ipês that come from the nurseries of the company itself. For those who are interested in having their own tree, there is the possibility of buying surplus seedlings.
Of the 700 thousand Ipês that exist in Brasilia, it is important to know that these plants have their own unique characteristics. Learn more about each type of Ipê below:
Purple
Size: 15 to 18 meters
Flowering period: June to August
Yellow
Size: 12 to 15 meters
Flowering period: August to October
White
Size: 7 to 12 meters
Flowering period: August and September
Pink
Size: 12 to 15 meters
Flowering period: September and October
