Euonymus shrubs are hardy and easy to grow. They can be used as ground cover, grown in pots, trained on supports, or planted as a hedge. Most euonymus plants are evergreen and have beautiful, glossy leaves that come in many colors and patterns. These leaves are great for adding interest in the winter. Deciduous euonymus have corky, “winged” stems, flowers in the spring, unusual and colorful fruit in the fall, and leaves that turn beautiful shades of orange and red before falling. Euonymus europeaus, our native spindle, is a great garden shrub or small tree that plants and animals alike love.
Gardeners looking to add year-round interest to their landscapes often turn to variegated foliage plants. The striking leaves brighten up beds and borders even on dreary winter days. Two of the most popular variegated evergreen shrubs are Euonymus japonicus ‘Silver Queen’ and ‘Silver King’. But what exactly is the difference between these two euonymus cultivars?
I’ve grown both silver queen and silver king euonymus in my own garden and can share my experiences comparing their appearance, growing habits, care needs, and landscape uses. Read on to learn how to choose between these similar yet unique shrubs.
Silver Queen Euonymus Overview
Let’s start with a quick rundown of key facts about Silver Queen euonymus
- Upright, mounded form reaching around 6 feet tall and wide
- Leaves are oval-shaped, dark green centers with creamy white margins
- Foliage emerges light green and white, darkening as it matures
- Blooms tiny greenish flowers in spring but they aren’t ornamentally important
- Hardy in USDA zones 6-9
Silver Queen was introduced way back in 1962 by the Yerkes Nursery of Pennsylvania. After 60 years, it remains a garden staple thanks to its stellar foliage and easy care nature.
Silver King Euonymus Overview
And here are some basics about the Silver King variety
- Upright, dense growth to around 12 feet tall by 6 feet wide
- Leaves are oval with bright green centers and silver-white margins
- White leaf edges are tinged pinkish in cold weather
- Insignificant greenish spring flowers
- Hardy in zones 6-9
Silver King came on the scene much more recently, in 1990 It was discovered by and named after Oregon’s renowned J Frank Schmidt & Son nursery.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s do a deeper comparison of these two euonymus superstars.
Foliage Differences
The most obvious distinction between Silver Queen and Silver King euonymus is the color of the leaf margins. As the names suggest, Silver Queen has creamy white edges while Silver King’s are silvery white.
Silver Queen’s leaves emerge nearly pure white in spring but the centers gradually darken to a medium green as the season progresses. The lighter coloration lasts longer into the summer than Silver King.
Silver King starts out with bright white leaf margins that stand out boldly against the darker centers. The silvery cast is most pronounced in spring and fall when temps are cooler. Midsummer heat can fade the edges to more of a cream color.
Both shrubs get a pinkish blush on the white portions of the leaves in cold winter weather.
Growth Habit Comparison
Though their parentage and genetics are similar, Silver Queen and Silver King euonymus have quite different growth habits.
Silver Queen is naturally compact, forming a dense, rounded, mounded shape. It typically matures at around 6 feet tall and wide. Without pruning, the branches extend upright rather than spreading out horizontally.
Silver King has a faster growth rate and more sprawling, loosely arching branches. Left alone, it can reach up to 12 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. The spreading form takes up more garden real estate unless trimmed back.
For those with limited space, Silver Queen’s neater, tighter growth makes it a better choice. Silver King is ideal if you need a big shot of white in a large border or as a tall, loose hedge.
Ornamental Traits
Beyond foliage, there are a few other ornamental differences between these euonymus varieties:
Flowers – Both shrubs bloom in spring with tiny, greenish yellow flowers that aren’t especially attractive. 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. The fruit is mildly decorative but mostly inconspicuous.
Winter interest – Both show their best late fall to early spring coloration in zones with cold winters. The pinkish tinge on the white margins is more pronounced on Silver King.
For all-season interest, the beautiful bicolor leaves are the stars of the show with these evergreen shrubs.
Care and Maintenance Needs
When it comes to growing requirements, Silver Queen and Silver King euonymus have very similar needs:
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Sun – For best foliage color, plant in full sun. They tolerate part shade but won’t look as vibrant.
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Soil – Adaptable to most soil types. Prefers average moisture but is drought tolerant once established.
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Hardiness – Both are cold hardy from zones 6-9. Protect from harsh winter winds in northern areas.
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Pruning – Can be sheared or trimmed as needed to control size and shape. Best done in early spring. Remove deadwood anytime.
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Pests & diseases – Usually trouble free. Occasionally bothered by scale, euonymus webworm, or powdery mildew.
Both cultivars are unfussy, low maintenance shrubs. But Silver King’s larger size may require a bit more pruning to keep it in bounds for smaller spaces.
Best Uses in the Landscape
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:
- Hedges, screens, and living walls
- Borders, beds, and foundation plantings
- Containers on patios and decks
- Groupings for texture and contrast
- Topiary shapes like pyramids, balls, and columns
- As focal point specimen shrubs
They combine beautifully with other landscape plants including perennials, conifers, and ornamental grasses. For maximum impact, situate them where their colorful leaves can be admired up close.
Which is Better – Silver Queen or Silver King?
Now for the big question – which of these euonymus is better? As is often the case in gardening, the answer comes down to personal preference and matching the plant to your specific needs.
For smaller areas like foundation plantings, Silver Queen’s naturally compact shape saves on pruning. Its lighter edges provide brighter contrast.
If making a bold white statement is your goal, Silver King’s larger stature and vivid silvery margins can’t be beat. It works well as a tall screen or background plant.
You really can’t go wrong with either of these carefree evergreen shrubs. Try blending both Silver Queen and Silver King in your garden to get the best of both!
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ has leaves with mid-green centres, variegated with white.
H x S: 1m x 1.5m
“Harlequin” is a dwarf evergreen euonymus with green leaves that are speckled and mottled with white, especially on the new shoots.
H x S: 50cm x 70cm
This variegated euonymus bears small, oval leaves with a green centre and edged with dark yellow. Narrow and upright in habit.
H x S: 1.5m x 1m
Where to grow euonymus
Euonymus are easy to grow in many places and types of soil, and they do well in all but the worst conditions. Most evergreen varieties thrive in sun or shade. Plants that have pure yellow or white new growth should be put in some shade, since full sun can burn the new shoots and the shading makes the color less noticeable. Deciduous euonymus do best in sun or part shade. Euonymus japonicus is tolerant of salt and makes a good hedge or screen in coastal gardens.
How to grow Silver King Euonymus with a detailed description
FAQ
How big do Silver King Euonymus get?
How big do silver queen Euonymus get?
What is the fastest growing Euonymus plant?
Does Silver King Euonymus lose leaves in winter?
What is a Silver King Euonymus?
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?
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.
What does a golden Euonymus plant look like?
This golden euonymus plant is a very striking color all year long, this variety features large, rounded leaves with vivid, striking variegation. Compared to other, older types, it has a significantly greater impact on the landscape.
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 Euonymus ‘Silver Queen’ a poisonous plant?
Euonymus ‘Silver Queen’ is a shrub identified as one of the smaller evergreen shrubs in the Euonymus genus. It has low severity poison characteristics. The plant can grow from 2 to 8 feet in height and easily spreads, making it suitable for use as a shrubby ground cover.
Is Gold Splash a good Euonymus plant?
The plant exhibits exceptional resilience to disease including the euonymus scale, and the variegation is quite stable. For a simple four-season color in the landscape, use Gold Splash. Exuberant, variegated foliage holds its color throughout the year, with bold, enduring fruit adding a pop in the autumn.