If you haven’t heard of Florida anise (Illicium floridanum), you probably will soon. Although it’s a native of the southeastern U.S. and northern Mexico, it is relatively new to the nursery trade. This large, multi-stemmed shrub has many interesting qualities, including anise-scented evergreen leaves and unusual crimson-red, pink, or white spring flowers. The blooms are followed by equally interesting star-shaped fruit. It has no serious pests or diseases, and if you provide a favorable site, it’s about as easy to grow as they come.

The limiting factors in growing this lovely shrub are that it prefers some shade (full or part) and is hardy only in USDA Zones 7-10. However, it is an excellent shrub for those whose gardens qualify. This guide covers how to plant and grow Florida anise in your garden.

Where to Plant Florida Anise

In its native range, it grows wild along shady stream beds, seeps, or in moist woodlands. While hardy in Zones 7 to 10, it can be grown in Zone 6 with heavy mulch and some protection from winter winds. This shrub spreads by suckers and will naturalize in a moist, shady site if allowed. If its spread is unwanted, it is easy to remove suckers as they arise. It’s a great choice for mixed shrub borders, mass plantings, beside a pond, as a garden specimen, or a hedge. Because it thrives in moist soils, it is well suited to growing in a rain garden.

How and When to Plant Florida Anise

The best times to plant this evergreen shrub are early spring or fall. After selecting the proper site, dig a hole two to three times as wide as the container the shrub is growing in and about the same depth as the container. If the native soil is sandy or heavy clay, mix some compost or other organic matter into it. Remove the Florida anise from its nursery pot and loosen the roots around the surface of the root ball. If it is root-bound, spray or soak the root ball in water to wash away some of the soil so you can loosen the roots.

Place the root ball in the prepared hole. The top of the root ball should be at or slightly above the level of the soil. Backfill the planting hole with the soil you removed (plus the compost if you added it) and tamp it down firmly as you go. When the hole is half-filled, soak the roots with water. Continue filling until you reach the top of the root ball. To direct rainwater toward the roots, create a berm around the planting hole. Water the shrub well and apply a layer of mulch around the planting area, keeping it a couple of inches away from the stems.

Florida Anise Care Tips

While no living plant is care-free, Florida anise comes pretty close, as long as you grow it where the soil and light conditions are suitable. Its natural form is pleasant, but it can be pruned to control its size or sheared as a more formal hedge. It produces suckers, but these are easy to remove if you don’t want it to spread.

Light

Florida anise prefers a shady location. It will grow in heavy shade, dappled shade, or shade for part of the day (less than six hours). A combination of morning sun and afternoon shade works well.

Soil and Water

A moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil works best for Florida anise. It thrives near water—along stream banks or a pond. If your soil is sandy or contains a lot of clay, mix some compost or other organic matter into it at planting time.

Water the Florida anise thoroughly when you first plant it and water regularly during its first growing season if rainfall is insufficient. Keep in mind that occasional deep watering is more beneficial than frequent shallow watering. After it becomes established, it can handle short periods of drought, but don’t let it stay dry for long. If its leaves begin to droop, it probably needs to be watered. Mulching the soil surface helps keep the soil moist.

Temperature and Humidity

Florida anise is reliably hardy in Zones 7 to 10. With some protection, it can grow in Zone 6 as well. Select a site that shields the shrub from harsh winter winds, and mulch with 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch (pine needles or wood chips work well) to moderate soil temperature fluctuations. Humidity is not a problem for Florida anise.

Fertilizer

No fertilizer is necessary at planting time, especially if you amended the soil with compost. After its first year, spread a slow-release fertilizer on the soil beneath the shrub each year in late winter or early spring. A fertilizer for acid-loving plants, applied per the package directions, is ideal.

Pruning

While Florida anise doesn’t require pruning—its natural form is pleasing—it responds well to pruning if you want to limit its size or shape it into a formal hedge or tree form. Broken branches can and should be removed at any time. Late winter, before new growth begins, is the best time to do heavier pruning. When reducing size, cut the branch back to a side branch or bud. To create a tree form, wait until the shrub is at least 5 feet tall. Remove lower branches one or two at a time and step back to view the effect. Continue to remove lower branches until you like the shape. You may need to remove some branches each year to maintain the tree form.

Potting and Repotting Florida Anise

Florida anise can be planted in a container, but you'll need a hefty one for this large shrub. Select a container that will suit the plant for at least two years before it needs to be transplanted into a larger pot. Be sure the pot has a good drainage hole—poor drainage can cause the roots to rot. Use high-quality potting soil and keep it evenly moist. A layer of mulch helps prevent the soil from drying out.

Pests and Problems

No serious pests or diseases affect Florida anise. Its aromatic leaves tend to repel many insects and deer as well. Exposure to too much sun can cause the leaves to lose color and scorch, and extended periods of drought can kill the plants.

How to Propagate Anise

Florida anise can be grown from seeds that need no pretreatment to germinate. It can also be propagated by stem cuttings taken in late summer or fall and treated with a rooting hormone. Root formation usually takes several weeks. Florida anise also produces suckers, which can be transplanted as new plants, if carefully dug.

Types of Florida Anise

‘Halley’s Comet’

Illicium floridanum ‘Halley’s Comet’ is a vigorous cultivar with dark green foliage and abundant deep red flowers that bloom in the spring and continue to produce sporadic blooms through summer and often into fall. This medium-sized shrub grows 6-8 feet tall and produces 2-inch flowers that resemble starfish.

‘Shady Lady’

Illicium floridanum ‘Shady Lady’ variety bears pink flowers in late spring atop leaves that are gray-green and somewhat wavy with a gray-white variegation along the leaf margins. It grows moderately fast to 5–6 feet tall and wide.

‘Pink Frost’

Illicium floridanum ‘Pink Frost’ is covered by dark green leaves with cream-colored edges. The leaves turn a pinkish-rose color when the weather turns cold. In spring, the plant blooms in red flowers for four to six weeks. This cultivar grows up to 10 feet tall.

‘Semmes’

Growing only 4 to 6 feet tall, Illicium floridanum ‘Semmes’ is a prolific bloomer that bears an abundance of white flowers in spring. This charming evergreen shrub is an excellent addition to a mixed border.

Florida Anise Companion Plants

Rhododendron

Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) is an acid-loving shrub suited to the same moist, shady conditions as Florida anise. Its spring or summer flowers come in a wide range of colors to brighten a woodland garden. This classic garden plant with glossy green foliage and showy clusters of blooms is a perfect companion for Florida anise. Zones 3–10

Leucothoe

Low-growing leucothoe (Leucothoe spp.) fills the spaces beneath taller shade-loving shrubs. Its arching form creates a pleasing contrast to the upright Florida anise. It’s an undemanding and attractive evergreen shrub that provides year-round interest. Zones 5–9

Lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) is a perennial that works well with other shade plants and adds brightness to dark corners of the garden. With its spotted leaves and spring flowers, lungwort forms a colorful ground cover when planted beneath Florida anise. Zones 2–8