Tropicals – Yellow Florida Anise

• Yellow Florida Anise 

Botanical name:  illicum parviflorum

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 2 – 6 ft in height and a 24in – 36in spread

Hardy zone: zones 9 and above

Foliage color: green/yellow

Growth rate: grows about a foot a year 

Pruning instructions: does not require pruning but can be easily trimmed to maintain a certain size or shape 

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: Accent, Border, Container, Hedge, Mass

Light needs: 4 – 6 hours of sun a day

Special features: pest resistant 

Watering instructions:  thrives in moist soil but is slightly more drought tolerant once established. Weekly watering is required in the summer months. May need to be watered more often during periods of drought.

Fertilizing instructions : fertilize with a sulfur and iron-rich fertilizer in the late winter/very early spring

Best time to plant: spring or summer

Best type of soil: loam or sand

Companion plants: camellias, japanese maples, magnolia trees 

Toxicity level: potentially mildly toxic if ingested 

Invasive species: no