Red Maple vs Vinca

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

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Vinca

Vinca minor

Apocynaceae · groundcovers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

Vinca (Zones 4-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Red Maple	Vinca
Scientific Name	Acer rubrum	Vinca minor
Family	Aceraceae	Apocynaceae
Category	trees	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Adaptable
Height	70'	6"
Spread	40'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Red	Blue, Purple, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Europe
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Red Maple

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Vinca

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — 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.

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 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 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 4–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Red MapleProfile →View VincaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Red Maple and Vinca grow in the same hardiness zone?

Red Maple grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Vinca grows in zones 4-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 9.

Do Red Maple and Vinca have the same sun and water needs?

Red Maple needs full sun to part shade 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, Red Maple or Vinca?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Vinca at 6". Red Maple spreads 40' while Vinca spreads 2'.

Are Red Maple and Vinca deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Red Maple or Vinca?

Both Red Maple and Vinca 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	Red Maple	Vinca
Scientific Name	Acer rubrum	Vinca minor
Family	Aceraceae	Apocynaceae
Category	trees	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Adaptable
Height	70'	6"
Spread	40'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Red	Blue, Purple, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Europe
Maintenance	Low	Low

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.

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 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 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 4–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Red Maple and Vinca grow in the same hardiness zone?

Red Maple grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Vinca grows in zones 4-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 9.

Do Red Maple and Vinca have the same sun and water needs?

Red Maple needs full sun to part shade 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, Red Maple or Vinca?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Vinca at 6". Red Maple spreads 40' while Vinca spreads 2'.

Are Red Maple and Vinca deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Red Maple or Vinca?

Both Red Maple and Vinca have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.