Boxwood vs Vinca

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

Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens

Buxaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Vinca

Vinca minor

Apocynaceae · groundcovers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boxwood (Zones 5-8)

Vinca (Zones 4-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Vinca
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Vinca minor
Family	Buxaceae	Apocynaceae
Category	shrubs	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	8'	6"
Spread	8'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Green	Blue, Purple, White
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	Europe
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boxwood

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Vinca

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — 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.

Vinca

✓Can be aggressive — plant where spreading is desired.
✓Mow or trim in early spring to rejuvenate.
✓Excellent for erosion control on banks.
✓Avoid planting near natural areas.

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 Vinca if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 4–9.

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

View BoxwoodProfile →View VincaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boxwood and Vinca grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Vinca grows in zones 4-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

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

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

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Vinca?

Boxwood grows taller at 8' compared to Vinca at 6". Boxwood spreads 8' while Vinca spreads 2'.

Are Boxwood and Vinca deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Vinca?

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

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Vinca
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Vinca minor
Family	Buxaceae	Apocynaceae
Category	shrubs	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	8'	6"
Spread	8'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Green	Blue, Purple, White
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	Europe
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.

Vinca

✓Can be aggressive — plant where spreading is desired.
✓Mow or trim in early spring to rejuvenate.
✓Excellent for erosion control on banks.
✓Avoid planting near natural areas.

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 Vinca if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 4–9.

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 Vinca grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Vinca grows in zones 4-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

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

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

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Vinca?

Boxwood grows taller at 8' compared to Vinca at 6". Boxwood spreads 8' while Vinca spreads 2'.

Are Boxwood and Vinca deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Vinca?

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