Okame Flowering Cherry | Early Pink Spring Blossoms & Fall Color

Okame Flowering Cherry

15 Gallon

$299.00

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Okame Flowering Cherry

Prunus incamp 'Okame'

An early-spring charmer with vibrant pink blooms, heat tolerance, and brilliant fall color.

$299.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Okame Flowering Cherry is a spectacular early-spring blooming tree, renowned for its profusion of vibrant carmine-pink flowers that emerge on bare branches, heralding the end of winter. A hybrid combining the best traits of two Japanese species, it offers exceptional cold hardiness, heat tolerance, and a graceful, upright form. Its small, single blossoms cover the tree in a delicate cloud of pink, followed by glossy green foliage that erupts into brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn. This four-season performer is a treasured choice for small gardens, street plantings, and as an elegant focal point.

Spectacular Early Spring Display: Produces masses of single, bright carmine-pink flowers with prominent red calyces in late winter to early spring, often blooming for 2-3 weeks. The flowers emerge before the leaves, creating a stunning, cloud-like effect against bare branches. Bloom period overlaps with Kawazu-zakura (early February to early March), but flowers are smaller and more delicate, carried on slender, arching branches for an exceptionally graceful appearance.

Superior Heat and Cold Adaptability: As a hybrid of Prunus campanulata (Taiwan cherry, heat-tolerant) and Prunus incisa (Fuji cherry, cold-hardy), 'Okame' inherits remarkable tolerance to both temperature extremes. It thrives across USDA zones 6-9, performing admirably in both the cold winters of the Northeast and the hot summers of the Southeast—a rare combination among flowering cherries.

Year-Round Ornamental Interest: Beyond its celebrated spring blooms, 'Okame' offers glossy dark green summer foliage that provides cooling shade, followed by a spectacular autumn display in shades of orange, red, and yellow. The tree's upright, oval to vase-shaped form and smooth, mahogany-red bark add winter structure and interest.

Elegant, Garden-Scale Size: Maturing at a manageable 15-20 feet in both height and spread, 'Okame' fits beautifully into residential landscapes without overwhelming the space. Its relatively narrow form makes it suitable for smaller gardens, patios, and even street-side plantings under power lines.

Low Maintenance and Pest Resistant: Exhibits good resistance to common pests and diseases that afflict many flowering cherries, including aphids and borers. Requires minimal pruning beyond shaping when young and removal of dead or crossing branches in late winter.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Single, five-petaled, vibrant carmine-pink flowers with darker calyxes appear in dense clusters on bare branches in late winter to early spring; glossy dark green leaves with serrated margins turn brilliant orange, red, and yellow in fall
Mature Height: 15-20 ft
Mature Spread: 15-20 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 6-9; Sunset 4-9, 14-23
Light Requirement: Full sun
Key Benefits: Early profuse blooms, exceptional cold and heat tolerance, stunning fall color, compact size, pest resistant
Best Uses: Specimen tree, small gardens, street tree, patio focal point, early spring color

Q: When exactly does it bloom, and how does it compare to Kawazu-zakura?
A: 'Okame' typically blooms from early February to early March, coinciding with the popular Kawazu-zakura cherry. However, the flowers are noticeably smaller and more delicate, carried on slender, graceful branches, while Kawazu-zakura features larger, more robust blooms. The overall effect is more ethereal and refined, highly valued in traditional Japanese garden aesthetics .

Q: Is it self-pollinating? Will it produce fruit?
A: As a hybrid flowering cherry, 'Okame' is primarily grown for its ornamental flowers and is not typically grown for fruit production. While some small, dark cherries may occasionally form, they are insignificant and not palatable. It is self-sterile and requires no pollinator for flower production.

Q: How should I prune it?
A: Prune in late winter while still dormant but after the worst cold has passed. Focus on removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Maintain its natural vase shape by thinning crowded interior growth. Avoid heavy pruning, which can reduce flowering and invite disease.

Q: Why is it called 'Okame'?
A: The name 'Okame' refers to a traditional Japanese mask of a comical, round-faced woman, often associated with good fortune and laughter. The cherry's abundant, cheerful pink blooms are thought to resemble the mask's rosy cheeks and happy expression .

Q: Is it suitable for container growing?
A: Yes, with caveats. Young trees can be grown in large containers (at least 20-24 inches) for several years. However, as a tree that reaches 20 feet at maturity, it will eventually require in-ground planting for long-term health. Container-grown specimens require diligent watering and winter root protection in cold zones.