Hydrangea vs Southern Magnolia

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

Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangeaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Hydrangea (Zones 5-9)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Hydrangea	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Hydrangea macrophylla	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Hydrangeaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	6'	80'
Spread	6'	40'
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Blue, Pink, White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Japan	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Hydrangea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Hydrangea

✓Prune after flowering on old wood varieties.
✓Add aluminum sulfate for blue flowers, lime for pink.
✓Protect from afternoon sun in hot climates.

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 Hydrangea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium to high water in zones 5–9.

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 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View HydrangeaProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hydrangea grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

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

Hydrangea needs part shade and medium to high 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, Hydrangea or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Hydrangea at 6'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Hydrangea spreads 6'.

Are Hydrangea and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Hydrangea or Southern Magnolia?

Hydrangea 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	Hydrangea	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Hydrangea macrophylla	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Hydrangeaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	6'	80'
Spread	6'	40'
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Blue, Pink, White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Japan	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

Hydrangea

✓Prune after flowering on old wood varieties.
✓Add aluminum sulfate for blue flowers, lime for pink.
✓Protect from afternoon sun in hot climates.

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 Hydrangea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium to high water in zones 5–9.

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 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hydrangea grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

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

Which grows taller, Hydrangea or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Hydrangea at 6'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Hydrangea spreads 6'.

Are Hydrangea and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Hydrangea or Southern Magnolia?

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