Photo of Betula nigra 'Little King' form by Chicagoland Grows® Plant Introduction Program

Photo by Chicagoland Grows® Plant Introduction Program

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Betula nigra 'Little King'

Also Known As

  • Betula Little King®
  • Betula nigra 'Fox Valley'
  • Fox Valley Dwarf Birch
  • Little King Dwarf River Birch
  • Little King River Birch - Fox Valley®
  • Little King Tropical Birch

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

  • H: 10'-12'
  • W: 8'-12'

planting zones

  • 4a-9b

More Options

Betula nigra 'Little King' plant details

Betula nigra 'Little King' is a broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - occasional water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average, clay, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Betula nigra 'Little King'

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: betulaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 8 FT - 12 FT - wide, 10 FT - 12 FT - tall
Uses: borer-resistant, disease-resistant, distinctive bark, dwarf, fall color, peeling bark, pest resistant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Betula nigra 'Little King'

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: heat, verticillium wilt and wind
Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average, clay, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This special 8-10' dwarf birch is an excellent multi-stemmed form of the lovely native river birch. Featuring outstanding white-to-salmon peeling bark which is absolutely beautiful contrasting with the diamond-shaped dark-green leaves, lovely in fall when they turn lemon-yellow. It is a wonderful subject for bonsai and also very good in containers or at the ponds edge. S/M-W
One of the most disease free river birches. It is very resistance to the bronze birch borer. Grows to a height of 8-10 feet and a wide of 8-12 feet. It's beautiful exfoliating bark makes this small tree a year round winner.
Selected by King Nursery, Oswego, Illinois, for its uniform compact habit, adaptability to various soils, excellent disease/pest resistance, and ornamental exfoliating bark. The bark character becomes evident at an early age, exhibiting colorful patterns of cinnamon-red and pale salmon on trunks and main branches. Grows to 8' to 12' in height with an equal or greater spread in ten years. No fruiting. An unusual birch, very dense and wider than tall. Excellent for hedging.
A natural dwarf, this River Birch will only get 10' as a single trunk or multi-stemmed tree. The cream and cinnamon colored bark exfoliates leaving a lighter trunk. Very reisistant to Bronze Birch Borer, the tree is best adapted to moist acid soils. zone 4
A compact shrubby variety that will get to 10-12' high and about as wide. Put it where you can see it in the winter as its pealing bark gives texture to the colorful bark of cream and peach. Give plenty of moisture until established. A great addition to our choices.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

A unique compact selection of River Birch getting 10' tall and wide in time. Bark develops a mosaic of salmon-orange and cinnamon-red.

Gardening facts about Betula nigra 'Little King' plant

How to Grow Betula nigra 'Little King'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - dappled shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • acidic
    • alkaline
    • adaptable
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • wind tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Wildlife

    • birds
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • glossy
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