Florida anise tree
Illicium floridanum
USDA zones7 to 10
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size6 to 10 feet tall4 to 8 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Dark red
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Florida anise tree (Illicium floridanum) is a shrub for borders, shade gardens, hedges, and specimen planting. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. The evergreen leaves smell strong and spicy when bruised, and the dark red flowers attract bees. Deer tend to pass it by. Prune it in its early years to keep a neat shape.
Pairs well with Sweet bay magnolia, Inkberry, Mondo grass, and Bloodroot.
Native range
Southeastern United States and northern Mexico.