Boxwood vs Southern Magnolia

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

Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens

Buxaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boxwood (Zones 5-8)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Buxaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	shrubs	trees
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	8'	80'
Spread	8'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Green	White
Growth Rate	Slow	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boxwood

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

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.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

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 Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View BoxwoodProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boxwood and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Boxwood and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Boxwood needs part shade to full sun and medium water, while Southern Magnolia 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 Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Boxwood at 8'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Boxwood spreads 8'.

Are Boxwood and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Southern Magnolia?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Buxaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	shrubs	trees
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	8'	80'
Spread	8'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Green	White
Growth Rate	Slow	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	Southeastern US
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.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

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 Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boxwood and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Boxwood and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Boxwood at 8'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Boxwood spreads 8'.

Are Boxwood and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Southern Magnolia?

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