River birch 'Shiloh Splash’ is a cultivar of Betula nigra discovered by John and Danny Allen at Shiloh Nursery. It is a woody, deciduous, flowering tree in the Betulaceae (birch) family. This cultivar prefers full sun to partial shade and occasionally wet, acidic soils with good drainage. The best foliage color—variegated green leaves that appear to have had their margins dunked in creamy-white paint—occurs in full sun. Mulch with bark to keep the root zone cool and moist. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed. Propagation studies found that this cultivar roots readily from terminal, softwood stem cuttings taken in mid-July. ‘Shiloh Splash’ river birch can be used as a shrub or small tree in the landscape. It will grow to be about 10 to 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 to 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground. It is wind and deer resistant. This cultivar can be expected to live up to 70 years. Given its size, it is excellent as a specimen tree in a lawn or small space. Its papery, tan and peach bark provides interest for a winter garden. It attracts butterflies and songbirds so consider adding ‘Shiloh Splash’ to butterfly, pollinator, and children’s gardens. It is also at home in a rain garden, as well as quite wind resistant. Patent number: PP16,362 Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: One of the only birch species with resistance to bronze birch borer. Aphids, leaf miner, and birch skeletonizer may occur. Watch for leaf spot problems. Susceptible to chlorosis in alkaline soils. More information on Betula nigra .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Good Drainage | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Open; Pyramidal; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Deltoid
Leaf margin
Doubly Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Enticingly variegated, alternate, simple, medium to dark green leaves with irregular white margins (1.5-3.5" long) with doubly toothed margins turn bright yellow in fall. Some shoots occasionally revert back to a uniform green color and need to be removed.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Green; Insignificant
Flower form
Catkin; Insignificant
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Inconspicuous. Monoecious flowers appear in drooping, brownish male catkins and smaller, upright, greenish female catkins April-May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow
Fruit type
Aggregate; Nut
Fruit detail
Cone-like aggregate fruit which contains 3 tiny seeds.
Bark color
Light Brown; Orange
Bark detail
Provides winter interest in the landscape. Smooth on young trees, peach to tan-colored, develops papery scales. As the tree ages, bark divides into flat, scaly ridges. The bark peels away year-round.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
The seeds are eaten by birds. Birds and squirrels eat the male catkins in late winter/early springtime.
Attracts
Butterflies; Songbirds
Play value
Wind Break
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Aggregate; Nut
Uses (ethnobotany)
The leaves of were chewed or used as an infusion in the treatment of dysentery. An infusion of the bark was used to treat stomach problems and difficult urination. Twigs were chewed or rubbed on teeth and gums for dental hygiene. River birch sap can be fermented to make birch beer or vinegar. The wood is used to manufacturer inexpensive furniture and other woodenware.