Our story
“On behalf of my family and all who represent Yamagami’s Nursery, I take great pleasure in welcoming you to our website. We hope you find this web site a valuable tool to share the knowledge and expertise that comes from doing business in our community since 1948.”
— Preston Oka
We have a rich history and deep sense of community dating back to the original owner and visionary, Taro Yamagami.
He started Yamagami’s Nursery as a fruit stand in the midst of orchards in San Jose, California. With his brother Jiro, Taro Yamagami is credited with designing and installing many of the older landscapes in the area. Taro was one of the first to be awarded a license in Landscape Architecture in the state of California. The nursery, in his mind, was a means of supplementing his landscape architecture and installation business.
In 1953, Taro hired a young man, Mas Oka.
In 1963 Taro decided to concentrate on the landscape portion of his business and sold the nursery to Mas and Betty Oka. Keeping the name of Yamagami’s Nursery, Mas & Betty proudly upheld the Yamagami way of doing business.
After 20 years of hard work, Mas and Betty retired in 1983 and their son, Preston, took over the business.
Preston brought to the business a new vision and a new vitality. He has been responsible for instituting changes that have kept Yamagami’s alive and well during difficult economic times. Upon assuming the reins, he remained true to his parents’ (and Taro Yamagami’s) commitment to high quality service and products and real family values.
Jump ahead 30 years and it is Brittany Sheade, Preston’s daughter, and her husband, Mike Sheade, who take over the business. They are bringing youthful energy and enthusiasm to the business. They are eager to take on the challenges of doing business in the twenty-first century. Just watch us evolve!
Of special mention is Toya Yamagami James, daughter of Taro, who makes our being here possible through her generosity and desire to see this place remain a warm and vibrant source of beauty.
Our traditions and core values are set by our past and we can truthfully say, they are our strengths. Our commitment is to provide you, our customers with the best plant material and the best gardening advice to help you be successful, the first time.
— Preston Oka