Illicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine'
Florida Sunshine Anise
Item #: 6945
Zones: 6a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 96" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Illicium 'Florida Sunshine' is a 2007 Plant Delights/JLBG introduction, whose life started when we brought back three golden seedlings of the rare Florida endemic Illicium parviflorum from our 2000 visit to Florida plantsman Charles Webb. After several years of evaluation, we selected one plant for introduction as Illicium 'Florida Sunshine'. Our original specimen has become a medium-sized shrub to 8' tall x 8' wide of anise-fragranced, chartreuse gold foliage during the spring and summer. As the weather cools in fall, the leaf color brightens to screaming yellow, then becomes a near parchment color by midwinter. During the same time, the upper stems take on a brilliant red cast, contrasting vividly with the leaves. In sun, the winter foliage will scorch, so we recommend this be grown in light shade...a stunning beacon in the winter garden.
Maintenance:
Illicium 'Florida Sunshine' is essentially a maintenance free shrub, if it's planted in the proper location.
Growing Conditions:
Illicium 'Florida Sunshine' is native in deep to light shade in the wild, but in gardens, it is best in light shade to 6-8 hours of full sun, where it color up the best and keeps the tightest shape, and should never need to be pruned. The more shade, the looser the habit.
Garden Value:
The garden value of Florida Sunshine anise is obvious, since it beams like a bright sun in the garden, especially in the fall/winter, when the foliage is brightest. The anise-scented foliage is another great garden feature, so be sure to plant it where it can be brushed against.
Natural Impacts:
Illicium parviflorum is pollinated by a wide range of small native flies.
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Other Attributes
Genus: Illicium
Flower Color: Green
Leaf Color: Yellow/Gold
Bloom Time: Spring
Container Role: Thrillers
Garden Themes: Cottage Garden Plants , Night Gardens
Other: Fragrant Foliage Plants , Butterfly Attracting Plants , Deer Resistant Plants , Florida Native Plants , Georgia native plants , Pollinator Plants , North American Native Plants , Plant Delights Introductions , Rabbit Resistant Plants , Rain Garden Plants , Tropical Looking Plants , Colored Foliage , Plant Delights Creations and Discoveries , Tony's Favorites , United States Native Plants