Boxwood vs Red Maple

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

Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens

Buxaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boxwood (Zones 5-8)

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Acer rubrum
Family	Buxaceae	Aceraceae
Category	shrubs	trees
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	8'	70'
Spread	8'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Green	Red
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boxwood

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Red Maple

No — EdibleYes — 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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

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 Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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

View BoxwoodProfile →View Red MapleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boxwood and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Boxwood and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Boxwood at 8'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Boxwood spreads 8'.

Are Boxwood and Red Maple deer resistant?

Yes, both Boxwood and Red Maple are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Red Maple?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Acer rubrum
Family	Buxaceae	Aceraceae
Category	shrubs	trees
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	8'	70'
Spread	8'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Green	Red
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	Eastern North America
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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

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 Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Boxwood and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Boxwood at 8'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Boxwood spreads 8'.

Are Boxwood and Red Maple deer resistant?

Yes, both Boxwood and Red Maple are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Red Maple?

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