Boxwood vs Pea

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens

Buxaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Pea

Pisum sativum

Fabaceae · vegetables

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boxwood (Zones 5-8)

Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Pea
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Pisum sativum
Family	Buxaceae	Fabaceae
Category	shrubs	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	8'	6'
Spread	8'	6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Green	White
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	Mediterranean, Middle East
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boxwood

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Pea

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Boxwood

✓Avoid deep cultivation near shallow roots.
✓Thin interior branches for air circulation.
✓Protect from drying winter winds.
✓Don't plant too deep.

Pea

✓Plant 4-6 weeks before last frost — peas love cool weather.
✓Provide trellis or pea netting.
✓Harvest frequently for continued production.
✓Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for best nitrogen fixation.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Boxwood if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full sun with medium water in zones 5–8.

Choose Pea if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View BoxwoodProfile →View PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boxwood and Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Boxwood and Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Boxwood needs part shade to full sun and medium water, while Pea needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Pea?

Boxwood grows taller at 8' compared to Pea at 6'. Boxwood spreads 8' while Pea spreads 6".

Are Boxwood and Pea deer resistant?

Boxwood is deer resistant, but Pea is not. If deer are a concern, Boxwood is the better choice, or protect Pea with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Pea?

Boxwood has medium maintenance while Pea has low maintenance. Pea may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Pea
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Pisum sativum
Family	Buxaceae	Fabaceae
Category	shrubs	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	8'	6'
Spread	8'	6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Green	White
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	Mediterranean, Middle East
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

Boxwood

✓Avoid deep cultivation near shallow roots.
✓Thin interior branches for air circulation.
✓Protect from drying winter winds.
✓Don't plant too deep.

Pea

✓Plant 4-6 weeks before last frost — peas love cool weather.
✓Provide trellis or pea netting.
✓Harvest frequently for continued production.
✓Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for best nitrogen fixation.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Boxwood if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full sun with medium water in zones 5–8.

Choose Pea if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boxwood and Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Boxwood and Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Boxwood needs part shade to full sun and medium water, while Pea needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Pea?

Boxwood grows taller at 8' compared to Pea at 6'. Boxwood spreads 8' while Pea spreads 6".

Are Boxwood and Pea deer resistant?

Boxwood is deer resistant, but Pea is not. If deer are a concern, Boxwood is the better choice, or protect Pea with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Pea?

Boxwood has medium maintenance while Pea has low maintenance. Pea may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.