Euonymus are popular and useful shrubs that are hardy, easy to grow, and can be used as ground cover, grown in pots, trained on supports and planted as a hedge. The majority of euonymus are evergreens with attractive glossy leaves in a range of colours and variegations, and these are especially good for winter interest. Deciduous euonymus have corky ‘winged’ stems, spring flowers, unusual and colourful autumn fruit, and leaves that develop beautiful autumn tints before falling. Our native spindle, Euonymus europeaus, is a fantastic shrub or small tree for the garden and attracts a wide variety of wildlife.
Hey there fellow garden enthusiasts! I’ve been growing both Silver Queen and Silver King euonymus in my garden for years and I gotta tell you – these stunning variegated shrubs never fail to catch visitors’ attention. Today, I’m gonna break down the key differences between these two popular varieties to help you pick the perfect one for your landscape.
Quick Size Comparison
Before we dive deep, here’s a quick look at their mature sizes:
Silver Queen:
- Height: 6 feet
- Width: 3 feet
- Growth rate: Moderate
Silver King
- Height: 12 feet
- Width: 6 feet
- Growth rate: Rapid
The Major Differences That Matter
1. Foliage Characteristics
Silver Queen:
- Leathery, glossy leaves
- Light green centers
- Creamy white variegation on margins
- More compact foliage
- Maintains color better in summer heat
Silver King:
- Glossy green leaves
- Cream to yellow margins
- Broader leaf surface
- May show pinkish tints in winter
- Colors can fade slightly in intense summer heat
2. Growth Habits and Form
Silver Queen
- More compact, dense growth
- Naturally rounded shape
- Perfect for smaller spaces
- Easier to maintain without frequent pruning
- Great for formal gardens
Silver King:
- More vigorous, upright growth
- Looser branching pattern
- Needs more space to spread
- Requires regular pruning to maintain shape
- Better suited for larger landscapes
Growing Requirements (They’re Pretty Similar!)
Both varieties share these basic needs:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Adaptable to most types, but prefers well-draining
- Water: Moderate, drought-tolerant once established
- USDA Zones: 6-9
- Maintenance: Low to moderate
My Personal Experience Growing Both
I’ve had Silver Queen in my front yard border for 5 years and Silver King as a backdrop plant in the back garden for about 3 years. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
Silver Queen:
- Perfect for my small front border
- Stays neat with minimal pruning
- Looks fantastic year-round
- Great winter interest
- Sometimes gets slight leaf burn in full afternoon sun
Silver King:
- Makes an amazing privacy screen
- Grows like crazy (sometimes too fast!)
- More dramatic variegation
- Needs pruning 2-3 times per year
- More resistant to leaf burn
Best Uses in the Landscape
Silver Queen is Perfect For:
- Foundation plantings
- Small hedges
- Container gardens
- Formal borders
- Rock gardens
- Small space gardens
Silver King Shines As:
- Privacy screens
- Background plantings
- Large hedges
- Specimen plants
- Mixed borders
- Windbreaks
Common Problems and Solutions
Both varieties can occasionally face:
-
Scale insects
- Solution: Horticultural oil spray
-
Powdery mildew
- Solution: Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering
-
Winter burn
- Solution: Plant in protected location, use anti-desiccant spray
Making Your Choice
Choose Silver Queen if:
- You have limited space
- Want a low-maintenance option
- Need a formal looking shrub
- Prefer dense, compact growth
Go with Silver King if:
- You need height and width
- Have space for spreading
- Want dramatic variegation
- Don’t mind regular pruning
I personally love both varieties – they each have their special place in the garden! If you’re still unsure, why not try both? That’s what I did, and now I get to enjoy their different characteristics in different parts of my garden.
Remember, whichever you choose, both Silver Queen and Silver King are pretty tough cookies that’ll give you years of beautiful variegated foliage with minimal fuss. Just give ’em the right spot, and they’ll do their thing!
Would you like me to break down any specific aspect of these plants in more detail? Drop a comment below – I’d love to share more from my experience growing these beautiful euonymus varieties!
How to plant euonymus
Plant euonymous in any reasonable soil at any time of year as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. However, autumn or spring are the ideal times to plant. If soil is poor, add organic matter such as compost or a proprietary soil conditioner to get plants off to a good start. For growing in pots, use a peat-free, multi-purpose potting compost with added loam. Plant with the soil level at the same depth as in the pot, firm well and water in. Mulch border plants annually and regularly water plants that are growing in pots.
Euonymus are easy to grow and are trouble-free once established.
Long dry spells can cause evergreens to shed some leaves, which can be avoided with a thorough watering every 7-10 days.
Euonymus scale insect can occur, particularly on plants that have become stressed due to poor growing conditions. Ensure plants are healthy by planting into well-prepared soil, and mulch the soil around the roots annually with well-rotted garden compost or chipped bark.
When grown as a hedge, keep euonymus in shape by trimming 2-3 times a year, between May and late September.
Vigorous varieties of Euonymus japonicus that have become overgrown can be rejuvenated by hard pruning in April, thinning out several of the oldest branches back to near the base, cutting to where new growth is emerging.
Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’
Euonymus fortunei has small oval evergreen leaves in a wide range of different colour variegations and has a low-growing and spreading habit, ideal for ground cover and border edges. The fresh green leaves of Silver Queen have beautiful silver-white margins.
H x S: 1m x 1.5m
How to grow Silver King Euonymus with a detailed description
FAQ
What does a Silver King Euonymus look like?
The Silver King Euonymus is an attractive hedge plant with silvery white margins on glossy green leaves. It adds unique color and texture to the landscape. What does a Silver Queen Euonymus look like?
Are Silver Queen Euonymus A good garden plant?
Thanks to their handsome variegated foliage and manageable size, Silver Queen and Silver King euonymus are extremely versatile in the garden. Here are some of their best functions: They combine beautifully with other landscape plants including perennials, conifers, and ornamental grasses.
How big does a Silver Queen Euonymus grow?
The Silver King Euonymus typically grows to a height and width of 4 to 6 feet, making it a perfect choice for adding structure and interest to your garden. And with its evergreen foliage, it provides year-round interest and beauty. The Silver King Euonymus is a plant that’s sure to impress. How big do silver queen Euonymus get?
What does a Silver Queen Eucalyptus look like?
Noted for its elegant foliage, Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ (Wintercreeper) is a bushy evergreen shrub with glossy, elongated, dark green leaves adorned with contrasting white margins. In cold weather the leathery foliage often becomes tinged with purplish pink. Its variegated coloring do not fade in sunny conditions.
Is Silver Queen a Radican?
Wintercreeper ‘Silver Queen’, Spindle ‘Silver Queen’, Euonymus fortunei f. radicans ‘Silver Queen’ Noted for its elegant foliage, Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ (Wintercreeper) is a bushy evergreen shrub with glossy, elongated, dark green leaves adorned with contrasting white margins.
Which Euonymus produces more profuse flowering?
Silver King produces more profuse flowering. But neither cultivar is grown for its blooms. Fruit – Like other euonymus, Silver Queen and Silver King may produce small capsules containing orange seeds if pollinated.