Welcome, fellow gardeners! I’ve had Silver Queen and Silver King euonymus in my garden for years, and I have to say that these beautiful variegated shrubs always get people’s attention. I’m going to talk about the main differences between these two popular types today so that you can choose the right one for your yard.
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 like both kinds, and each one has its own place in the garden. If you’re still not sure, why not try them both? That’s what I did, and now I can enjoy their different traits in different parts of my garden.
Remember that both Silver Queen and Silver King are pretty tough plants that will give you years of beautiful variegated leaves with little work. They’ll do what they’re supposed to do if you give them the right spot.
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. Planting in well-prepared soil will help plants stay healthy. Every year, mulch the soil around the roots 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’
The small, oval, evergreen leaves of Euonymus fortunei come in a lot of different color variations. The plant grows slowly and spreads out, making it perfect 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. Some of their best qualities are that they look great with other plants in the yard, like ornamental grasses, conifers, and perennials.
How big does a Silver Queen Euonymus grow?
The Silver King Euonymus usually grows to be 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. It’s a great plant for giving your garden shape and variety. 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.