Japanese star anise
Illicium anisatum
USDA zones7 to 9
SunHandles partial sun or full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size6 to 15 feet tall6 to 15 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Dense
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Cream/tan, yellow, green, white
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
- Toxicity
- Toxic to pets
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is a shrub for shade gardens, foundation plantings, privacy screens, and hedges. 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 or loamy soil. It grows slowly into a dense, evergreen shrub with fragrant leaves and is toxic to pets. It is not a favorite of deer or rabbits, though hungry ones will eat almost anything.
Pairs well with Halcyon hosta, Bottlebrush buckeye, and Mondo grass.
Native range
South Korea and Japan to Taiwan.