Red Maple vs Sweet Pea

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

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Red Maple	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Acer rubrum	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Aceraceae	Fabaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Rich, Well-drained
Height	70'	6'
Spread	40'	1'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Red	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Red Maple

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Sweet Pea

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting.
✓Provide trellis or netting.
✓Pick flowers frequently to prolong bloom.
✓Needs cool weather — plant early spring or fall in warm areas.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Sweet Pea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Red MapleProfile →View Sweet PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Red Maple and Sweet Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Red Maple grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Red Maple and Sweet Pea have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Red Maple or Sweet Pea?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Sweet Pea at 6'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Sweet Pea spreads 1'.

Are Red Maple and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Red Maple or Sweet Pea?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Red Maple	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Acer rubrum	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Aceraceae	Fabaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Rich, Well-drained
Height	70'	6'
Spread	40'	1'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Red	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

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.

Sweet Pea

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting.
✓Provide trellis or netting.
✓Pick flowers frequently to prolong bloom.
✓Needs cool weather — plant early spring or fall in warm areas.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Sweet Pea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Red Maple and Sweet Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Red Maple grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Red Maple and Sweet Pea have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Red Maple or Sweet Pea?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Sweet Pea at 6'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Sweet Pea spreads 1'.

Are Red Maple and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Red Maple or Sweet Pea?

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