Hollyhock vs Southern Magnolia

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

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

Malvaceae · flowers

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Hollyhock (Zones 3-8)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Hollyhock	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Alcea rosea	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Malvaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	8'	80'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Black	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	China, Turkey	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Hollyhock

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Hollyhock

✓Plant against a wall or fence for wind protection.
✓Prone to rust — space for air circulation.
✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Biennial but self-sows to seem perennial.

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 Hollyhock if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

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 HollyhockProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hollyhock grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

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

Hollyhock needs 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, Hollyhock or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Hollyhock at 8'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Hollyhock spreads 1' 6".

Are Hollyhock and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Hollyhock or Southern Magnolia?

Both Hollyhock and Southern Magnolia have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Hollyhock	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Alcea rosea	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Malvaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	8'	80'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Black	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	China, Turkey	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Hollyhock

✓Plant against a wall or fence for wind protection.
✓Prone to rust — space for air circulation.
✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Biennial but self-sows to seem perennial.

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 Hollyhock if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

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 Hollyhock and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Hollyhock grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

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

Hollyhock needs 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, Hollyhock or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Hollyhock at 8'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Hollyhock spreads 1' 6".

Are Hollyhock and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Hollyhock or Southern Magnolia?

Both Hollyhock and Southern Magnolia have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.