Florida Anise - Illicium floridanum |
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Illiciaceae Illicium Floridanum None |
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Grows In | Zone 7A · 0° to 5° F through Zone 10B · 35° to 40° F |
Sun Exposure | Full / Mostly Shade, Morning Sun / Evening Shade, Dappled Light / Filtered Sun |
Soil Drainage | Moderately Drained, Poorly Drained |
Resistent To | Deer Resistant, Insect, Disease, Heat |
Blooms | Summer Blooms |
Average Height | 8' to 10' |
Average Width | 6' to 8' |
Attracts | Songbirds / Birds |
Fragrances | Fragrant Foliage, Fragrant Flowers |
Noteworthy Characteristics
Florida Anise is one of the most dependable broad-leaved evergreen shrubs for the shade garden. Glossy but leathery dark green leaves 2 to 6 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide adorn the tree year-round. A wiff of the leaves reveals a pleasant anise scent that tempts the passerby to tear a leaf in order to enjoy the spicy aroma. In spring, dark red/maroon, 2-inch diameter flowers with many straplike petals bloom. Do not cut the blossoms for the flowers give way to star-shaped, papery folicles that hold the BB-like seeds. When mature, the seeds burst and send the seeds in all directions. These seeds germinate readily and provide an easy means of propagation. New plants can also be obtained from mature or hardwood cuttings that root easily. Expect Florida anise to grow from 10 to 15 feet tall and about 6 to 10 feet wide.
Uses
Florida Anise is useful in the landscape as a large shrub or small tree form specimen, in groups, or as a natural evergreen hedge. It is also useful in flowering shrub borders, or as a small tree or corner plant in shady home foundation plantings.
Culture
Grow Florida Anise in a lightly acid, organic-rich soil that stays somewhat moist. This plant is best located in shade to partial shade. Morning sun until noon is okay. Maintenance is minimal except for a snipping here or there of a stray branch.
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I ordered two Anise plants to replace two older plants which were hit really hard by 20 degree temperatures this winter. One night and done! We were tired of picking up leaves so we wanted something "evergreen" and a must for us is colorful flowers. Our yard was honored Fall 2014 with the Gold level FL Friendly Landscape award so natives are definitely on our list. This was actually listed in their manual. These plants arrived in excellent condition with a few flowers. The packaging is so terrific, nothing could damage them during delivery unless a 747 landed on it. They were planted immediately with lots of TLC and watered daily for 2 weeks. They are doing great and growing new leaves with a few more flowers. Definitely would recommend purchasing this plant from Gardener Direct.
Hi Charlene - Thanks so much for taking the time to provide us and visitors to Gardener Direct with your review. We are happy to hear that you were pleased with the quality of the Florida Anise and with our packaging method. Glad to hear the plants are already putting on new growth! We planted them as a natural screen/hedge in a mostly shady, damp spot about 3 years ago and they are now about 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide and steadily growing. Great evergreen for shade! Let us know if there's ever anything we can help you with. We're at your service!