Prunus x incam 'Okame' ~ Okame Flowering Cherry

1. The Okame Flowering Cherry is a deciduous tree that typically grows to a height of 20-30 feet (6-9 meters) with a spread of 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 meters). It has a rounded crown and a relatively short trunk. The bark is smooth and reddish-brown when young, but it becomes darker and develops horizontal lenticels as the tree matures.

2. Flowers: The Okame Cherry produces abundant clusters of vibrant pink flowers in early spring. The flowers are single or semi-double, meaning they have a single or few layers of petals. They are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and cover the branches, creating a stunning display. The blossoms attract bees and other pollinators.

3. Foliage: The leaves of the Okame Cherry are oval-shaped and emerge bronze or reddish-purple in the spring. As they mature, they turn dark green and provide a lovely backdrop for the pink flowers. In the fall, the foliage may develop shades of yellow, orange, or red before dropping.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Medium Maintenance. Pests and diseases can be a problem.  Watch for aphids, scale, borers, caterpillars, beetles and spider mites. Potential diseases include leaf spot, dieback, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fireblight.  Cherries have weak wood and are susceptible to breakage.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Areas,  Wildlife Gardens, and Shade Tree.

COMPANION PLANTS: Viburnum, Lilac, Butterfly Bush

IMAGES: (Tree) Famartin, 2016-03-12 10 26 24 Okame Cherries blooming at the Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, New Jersey, CC BY-SA 4.0

(Flowers) Famartin, 2015-04-13 10 31 19 Okame Cherry flowers along 5th Street in Ewing, New Jersey, CC BY-SA 4.0

(Bark) Photo by David J. Stang, Prunus x incam Okame 1zz, CC BY-SA 4.0

(Leaves) Photo by David J. Stang, Prunus x incam Okame 4zz, CC BY-SA 4.0