Illicium floridanum Native Shrub for Shade
Florida anise Illicium floridanum is a great native shrub for shady hedges or spot planting. One of the issues that I have had to face in creating a woodlands habitat is evergreen plants which grow well in shade. I am a firm believer in hedgerows and corridors for wildlife – mixed plantings of shrubs and trees which provide cover and allow wildlife to pass safely from one block of land to another. For this purpose I have created hedges along my property line of wildlife friendly natives.
An important component of any hedgerow is evergreen plants which will allow for shelter in the winter and Florida anise Illicium floridanum has been a valuable asset in this project. It is native to AL, FL, GA, LA, MS (see: USDA Plants Profile ) and will grow in zones 7-10. Florida anise is fast growing, trouble free and thrives just fine in shady areas and in spring it gets small burgundy flowers which will develop into star shaped seed pods. While the flowers are not overly showy they are attractive. I have heard that the flowers have a bad odor but frankly I didn’t experience this, mine don’t scent at all.
Last spring I planted a portion of my hedgerow in the woods with Florida anise alternating with Yellow Anise Illicium parviflorum for both wildlife shelter as well as to act as a privacy from a neighbor. (Illicium parviflorum is a bit denser than Illicium floridanum, more sun tolerant and the leaves are darker green, the spring flower is lime yellow). In their first season in they have put out a good deal of new growth which has impressed me considering the adage the first year they sleep. I find myself liking this spot in the woods quite a bit, the hedge is robust and attractive. They do like to be watered regularly and one characteristic of this plant to be aware of is in cold temperatures the leaves tend to droop. Anise is a great native alternative to Cleyera as well.
For the habitat garden, other than regular watering, Florida anise Illicium floridanum is a no maintenance shrub which provides evergreen shelter for birds and wildlife, a spring food source for native bees as well as makes a good privacy hedge. While not an overly flashy plant all around, it is an asset as a stable, trouble free shrub.
Viburnum opulus var americanum - American Cranberry Bush
Callicarpa americana American Beautyberry
Cyrilla racemiflora - Swamp Titi Native Shrub
Euonymus americanus - Hearts a'Bustin Understated Native Shrub
Recently had Dr. Amy Wright, Auburn Univ. hort professor on Backyard Wisdom podcast talking about natives. Both Illicium floridanum and Illicium parviflorum got rave reviews from her.