The Anise-tree (Illicium) is a trouble-free, easily grown shrub that is underutilized in our landscapes.
Deer don’t like it. It is evergreen and has aromatic foliage and it’s native.
The arboretum has two kinds of Illiciums.
The Florida Anise-tree
(Illicium floridanum) grows 6-10 feet tall and 5-8 feet wide. It is dense and upright with dull medium to dark green foliage. The leaves when crushed are highly aromatic, described by some as the smell of a gin and tonic. The flowers are maroon-purple and compose of many strap-like petals. It blooms March to April. The cultivar ‘Alba’ has white to cream-colored flowers that resemble starfish. This shrub prefers moist to wet, organic soil and full to part shade. In full sun the foliage often turns yellowish.
The Small Anise-tree (Illicium parviflorum) grows 8-10 feet tall. It often is wider than tall because it suckers easily, especially in moist sites. It has an upright, pyramidal form with olive green foliage. The leaves are held at a 45 degree angle to the stem. When crushed, the leaves have a pleasant licorice smell. The flowers are yellowish green, star-like, and appear May to June. This is the hardiest Illicium. It takes full shade to full sun, very wet to dry conditions, and prefers organic soil but is adaptable. The olive green color makes a nice contrast with dark green foliage. With no pests or diseases this shrub really makes a great addition to the landscape and should be used more.
These two Anise-trees flank the annual interest garden in the arboretum. The Florida Anise-tree is on the right of the garden and the Small Anise-tree is on the left. 
The garden between these two shrubs is a riot of color and activity, with butterflies 
and bees and all sorts of flying insects flitting about, from flower to flower. There is Victoria Blue Salvia, yellow Marguerite Daisy, Profusion Cherry Zinnia, Narrow-leaf Zinnia, White Scaevola, Bluebells, Pentas, Artemisia, Dahlia, and Vinca. It is the brightest spot in the arboretum right now, full of possibilities for use in your summer garden.
Come out to see our two Anise-tree shrubs and the profusion of color and movement between them will delight you.
