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Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch
Betula nigra 'Little King'
Pronunciation: BET-ew-luh NY-gruh
SKU #40115
LIGHT:
Full sun, Partial sun
WATER:
Keep soil moist to wet.
SIZE:
Moderate growing; reaches 8 to 10 ft. tall and wide in 10 years.
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| Description | A dwarf river birch with highly ornamental exfoliating bark, perfect for smaller gardens or wherever space is limited. Excellent pest and disease resistance, and heat tolerance. Ideal in minimal-care landscapes, where the compact, low-branching form works as an accent or in groups to create a natural hedge or screen. Deciduous. |
|---|---|
| Bloom Time | Inconspicuous; prized for foliage and bark. |
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Deciduous |
| Special Features | Attractive Bark, Easy Care, Fall Color, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, Compact Form |
| Problems/Solutions | Deer Resistant, Very Wet Areas |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Growth Habit | Vase-Shaped |
| Landscape Use | Hedge, Privacy Screen |
| Design Ideas | Plant this highly useful small, broad tree where a miniature form of this widely popular landscape tree is desired. Situate where the highly textured bark character can be viewed, exhibiting colorful patterns of cinnamon-red and pale salmon on trunks and main branches. |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Fall Color | Yellow |
| Companion Plants | Hydrangea (Hydrangea); Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra); Sweet Flag (Acorus); Sweetspire (Itea); Clethra (Clethra); Artemisia (Artemisia) |
| Care Instructions | Thrives in deep, loamy, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil amended with sand or gravel, but highly adaptable. Water deeply, regularly during the first few growing seasons to establish an extensive root system; once established, maintain evenly moist soil. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. |
| History | Selected by Jim King of King Nursery, Oswego, Illinois, for its uniform compact habit, high adaptability to various soils, disease/pest resistance, including excellent resistance to bronze birch borer, and ornamental exfoliating bark that becomes evident at an early age. This is an introduction by Chicagoland Grows®, a nonprofit corporation of the Chicago Botanic Garden, The Morton Arboretum and the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois (OGA). |
| Lore | Betula nigra 'Little King' reportedly does not produce catkins (flowers) as most birch trees do. |
Details
| Description | A dwarf river birch with highly ornamental exfoliating bark, perfect for smaller gardens or wherever space is limited. Excellent pest and disease resistance, and heat tolerance. Ideal in minimal-care landscapes, where the compact, low-branching form works as an accent or in groups to create a natural hedge or screen. Deciduous. |
|---|---|
| Bloom Time | Inconspicuous; prized for foliage and bark. |
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Deciduous |
| Special Features | Attractive Bark, Easy Care, Fall Color, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, Compact Form |
| Problems/Solutions | Deer Resistant, Very Wet Areas |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Growth Habit | Vase-Shaped |
Style
| Landscape Use | Hedge, Privacy Screen |
|---|---|
| Design Ideas | Plant this highly useful small, broad tree where a miniature form of this widely popular landscape tree is desired. Situate where the highly textured bark character can be viewed, exhibiting colorful patterns of cinnamon-red and pale salmon on trunks and main branches. |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Fall Color | Yellow |
| Companion Plants | Hydrangea (Hydrangea); Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra); Sweet Flag (Acorus); Sweetspire (Itea); Clethra (Clethra); Artemisia (Artemisia) |
Care
| Care Instructions | Thrives in deep, loamy, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil amended with sand or gravel, but highly adaptable. Water deeply, regularly during the first few growing seasons to establish an extensive root system; once established, maintain evenly moist soil. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. |
|---|
History
| History | Selected by Jim King of King Nursery, Oswego, Illinois, for its uniform compact habit, high adaptability to various soils, disease/pest resistance, including excellent resistance to bronze birch borer, and ornamental exfoliating bark that becomes evident at an early age. This is an introduction by Chicagoland Grows®, a nonprofit corporation of the Chicago Botanic Garden, The Morton Arboretum and the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois (OGA). |
|---|---|
| Lore | Betula nigra 'Little King' reportedly does not produce catkins (flowers) as most birch trees do. |
Frequently asked questions
Does Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch produce flowers?
Inconspicuous; prized for foliage and bark.
Is Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch evergreen or deciduous?
Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch is Deciduous.
What are the special features of Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch?
Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch is Attractive Bark, Easy Care, Fall Color, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, Compact Form.
Is Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch resistant to pests or animals?
Deer Resistant, Very Wet Areas
How fast does Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch grow?
Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch has a Moderate growth rate.
What is the growth habit of Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch?
Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch grows in an Vase-Shaped habit.
Where can I use Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch in my landscape?
Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch is suitable for: Hedge, Privacy Screen.
How can I use Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch in my garden design?
Plant this highly useful small, broad tree where a miniature form of this widely popular landscape tree is desired. Situate where the highly textured bark character can be viewed, exhibiting colorful patterns of cinnamon-red and pale salmon on trunks and main branches.
What color is the foliage of Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch?
Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch has Green foliage.
What plants grow well with Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch?
Good companion plants for Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch include: Hydrangea (Hydrangea); Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra); Sweet Flag (Acorus); Sweetspire (Itea); Clethra (Clethra); Artemisia (Artemisia).
How do I care for Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch?
Thrives in deep, loamy, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil amended with sand or gravel, but highly adaptable. Water deeply, regularly during the first few growing seasons to establish an extensive root system; once established, maintain evenly moist soil. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.
What is the history of Fox Valley® Dwarf River Birch?
Selected by Jim King of King Nursery, Oswego, Illinois, for its uniform compact habit, high adaptability to various soils, disease/pest resistance, including excellent resistance to bronze birch borer, and ornamental exfoliating bark that becomes evident at an early age. This is an introduction by Chicagoland Grows®, a nonprofit corporation of the Chicago Botanic Garden, The Morton Arboretum and the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois (OGA).
Retailers Near You
No Retailers found within 100 miles of your zipcode
About Us
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.