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    • Photo of Illicium floridanum flower by Stan Shebs

    Photo by Stan Shebs

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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    Buy Illicium floridanum

    Also Known As

    • Florida Anise
    • Purple Anise
    • Star Anise
    • Stink Bush

    Plant type

    tree, shrub

    size

    • H: 6'-10'
    • W: 4'-8'

    planting zones

    • 7a-10b

    1 gallon bagged root ball | $29

    Ships UPS, flat charge based on order total.

    Fewer than 29 at Gossler Farms

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    Illicium floridanum plant details

    Illicium floridanum is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring and summer burgundy and red flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Illicium floridanum

    Plant type: shrub or tree
    Plant family: schisandraceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 4 FT - 8 FT - wide, 6 FT - 10 FT - tall
    Flowers: burgundy and red blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: fragrant foliage, leathery leaves, rain garden, small tree, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Illicium floridanum

    USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
    Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and humidity
    Soil needs: acidic, average and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    The Florida anise shrub is super tough. We have seen our plants sail through 0ºF without any damage. The foliage is deep green and flowers are star shaped maroon purple. We have our plant in all day shade and it thrives. Now in full sun after the ice storm and still thriving!

    By: Gossler Farms

    Named for the anise-like odor its deep-green leathery leaves emit when crushed, this 6-15' shrub of swampy areas also sports 1-2" star-shaped deep-red flowers. S-PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Dark purple flowers bloom in late spring but the main attraction may be the large leathery evergreen leaves. Crush the leaf for the extremely aromatic anise scent. 5-6' in ten years; 8-10' in maturity. Recommended by: Garden Clubs of America.

    By: Fantastic Plants

    Deep-red, star shaped flowers, to 2" across, are borne in late spring and early summer on a dense evergreen shrub. Medium green leaves have a licorice scent when crushed.

    By: Almost Eden

    Gardening facts about Illicium floridanum plant

    How to Grow Illicium floridanum

    • Sun Exposure

      • bright shade - shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • acidic
      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • red
      • burgundy

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

    See other plant types of Illicium for your garden

    Illicium anisatum

    aka Anise Shrub, Japanese Anise, Japanese Star-Anise

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 6'-15'

    Width: 4'-8'

    • mostly sun
    • even moisture
    Photo of Illicium anisatum flower by plant lust
    View Plant

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    Illicium floridanum 'Pink Frost'

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-10'

    Width: 6'-10'

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Illicium floridanum 'Pink Frost' foliage by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

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    Illicium henryi

    aka Henry Anise Tree

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 12'-25'

    Width: 10'

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Illicium henryi flower, foliage by Far Reaches Farm
    View Plant

    More Options

    Illicium parviflorum

    aka Small-flowered Anise Tree, Star Anise, Yellow Anise

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-12'

    Width: 6'-12'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Illicium parviflorum flower by Andrew69
    View Plant

    More Options

    Illicium floridanum 'Shady Lady'

    aka Purple Anise, Shady Lady Variegated Anise, Star Anise, Variegated Florida Anise

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-9b

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 4'-6'

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Illicium floridanum 'Shady Lady' flower by Almost Eden
    View Plant
    +10 more Illicium
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