Taiwan cherry (Prunus 'Okame')
The Taiwan cherry, Prunus 'Okame', is a small, low-maintenance tree prized for its early, showy pink blooms in USDA Zones 6-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Taiwan cherry, scientifically known as Prunus ‘Okame’, is a highly valued ornamental tree celebrated for its vigorous early spring display. This hybrid cherry offers gardeners a reliable burst of rosy pink color well before many other spring-flowering counterparts, making it a standout specimen in the landscape. Its structure is typically upright and rounded, establishing a manageable size suitable for many residential yards.
This cultivar maintains a relatively low maintenance profile once established, rewarding thoughtful placement with beautiful foliage and attractive bark. The deciduous nature of Prunus ‘Okame’ ensures visual interest throughout the year, transitioning from vibrant blooms to bronzy fall color in colder areas of its range. Its widespread usefulness in public and private settings confirms its status as an excellent choice for early season impact.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 15-25 ft
- Spread: 15-20 ft
- Bloom Time: March to April
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting your Taiwan cherry should ideally occur in the fall or early spring when the tree is dormant to minimize transplant shock. Select a site that receives full sun exposure; while Prunus ‘Okame’ tolerates light shade, robust flowering performance requires direct sunlight. This tree thrives best in moist, moderately fertile, well-drained loams, ensuring roots are never sitting in waterlogged soil.
Water needs for Prunus ‘Okame’ are medium. During the first few growing seasons, provide consistent moisture until the root system is established. Mature trees are generally drought-tolerant but will perform best with supplemental water during prolonged dry spells, especially in summer. Fertilizing is rarely necessary unless soil tests indicate significant nutrient deficiencies; focus instead on soil health over chemical feeding.
Pruning should be minimal for this low-maintenance variety. If structural pruning is required to shape the tree or remove crossing branches, perform this task immediately after flowering concludes in the spring. Avoid late-season pruning, as this can encourage soft new growth susceptible to winter damage. Be aware that the early blooms of the Taiwan cherry are susceptible to damage from late spring freezes.
Landscape Uses
The Prunus ‘Okame’ excels as a flowering tree, offering brilliant color when winter landscape palettes are at their bleakest. It is highly recommended for use as a specimen planting where its early flowers and attractive bark can be appreciated up close. Due to its moderate size and rounded canopy, it is also a good selection for small groups or as an accent tree in public areas like streets and parks.
Consider pairing this fast-growing cherry with later-blooming shrubs and perennials to extend the season of interest in your garden beds. The bold pink flowers contrast beautifully against evergreens or plants with deep purple foliage that emerge later in spring. Its manageable height also allows it to integrate well into mixed borders without overshadowing nearby smaller plantings.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Prunus is a genus of about 200 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs found in north temperate areas, the Andes of South America and in mountainous areas of Southeast Asia. Some are grown for their showy flowers, colorful foliage and/or attractive bark; and others for fruit, which includes cherry, plum, apricot, nectarine and peach.Genus name from Latin means plum or cherry tree.‘Okame’ was developed by Captain Collingwood Ingram of England using Prunus incisa as the female parent and Prunus campanulata as the male parent. His goal was to create a cherry that had the hot pink to carmine red flowers of P. Campanulata but without its sensitivity to cold. ‘Okame’ is a small deciduous tree with an upright, rounded crown. It has 1 to 2.5 in. Long, alternate, simple leaves that turn bronzy red to bright orange to red in fall in the colder zones of its range. Its polished reddish brown bark has prominent horizontal lenticels. Blooming earlier than other cherries, its mildly fragrant, 5-petaled, rosy pink flowers with red calyces and reddish flower stalks may be harmed by a late freeze. It grows 15 to 25 ft. Tall and 15 to 20 ft. Wide. ‘Okame’ is sometimes known as P. Incamp ‘Okame’ (created by combining the species names of its parents)
Tolerances
Potential Problems
The Taiwan cherry is susceptible to a relatively large number of insect and disease pests common to the Prunus genus. Gardeners should proactively monitor for diseases such as leaf spot, powdery mildew, leaf curl, root rot, and the potentially fatal fireblight. Effective management begins with proper location selection, favoring well-drained soils to mitigate root rot risk.
Insect pressures can include scale, aphids, borers, leafhoppers, caterpillars, and Japanese beetles. Regularly inspect branch crotches for borer activity and treat early infestations immediately. Maintaining good air circulation through proper spacing and timely pruning can help reduce fungal disease development on the leaves of the Prunus ‘Okame’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Taiwan cherry suitable for?
The Taiwan cherry (Prunus ‘Okame’) performs best in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 8. Growers in Zone 5 may find success if the tree receives protection, especially during its early years.
When does Taiwan cherry bloom?
This magnificent tree typically blooms early in the season, flowering from March to April, producing lovely pink blossoms. Because of this early schedule, late frosts are a key risk to the flowers.
How large does Prunus ‘Okame’ grow?
The mature size for this cultivar is manageable, generally reaching heights between 15 to 25 feet tall, with a similar spread ranging from 15 to 20 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Prunus ‘Okame’ need?
For the most abundant and showy flowering display, Prunus ‘Okame’ requires full sun exposure daily.
Conclusion
The Prunus ‘Okame’ delivers exceptional ornamental value through its vigorous, early-season pink bloom and relatively easy care requirements, fitting neatly into the low-maintenance category. As a stunning specimen or focal point, the Taiwan cherry is a reliable spring herald. Check your USDA hardiness rating to ensure Zone 6-8 compatibility before planning your planting this fall or spring.
Companion Planting
When establishing your Taiwan cherry landscape, focus on companions that appreciate similar soil conditions—moist, moderately fertile areas with good drainage. Consider placing lower-growing, later-blooming deciduous shrubs nearby, such as Viburnums or late-flowering Azaleas, whose bloom windows will follow the Prunus ‘Okame’ display. These groupings create layers of texture and color succession throughout the spring season.
Groundcovers that do not compete aggressively for surface moisture are ideal beneath the canopy. Think about spring bulbs like Daffodils or Grape Hyacinths; they emerge and bloom before or concurrently with the tree without creating deep root competition issues. Avoid plants that require consistently dry feet, as the Taiwan cherry prefers consistent moisture.
Designing with Early Bloomers
The primary benefit of planting Prunus ‘Okame’ is its incredible timing. Use this feature strategically in sightlines visible from main living areas or walkways—placing it where its early pink hue provides a crucial visual lift after winter dormancy. Its upright, rounded habit makes it an excellent visual anchor in the background of a mixed border, drawing the eye upward before summer perennials fill in the lower gaps.
The bark of the Prunus ‘Okame’ is noteworthy, featuring a polished reddish-brown look with prominent horizontal lenticels. This texture provides understated winter interest, meaning it looks good long after the leaves drop. Integrate it near hardscaping features, such as stone walls or wood fences, to highlight this textural element during the dormant months.
