Mexican Anise-tree Illicium floridanum 'Aztec Fire'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Illicium mexicanum 'Aztec Fire'
- Phonetic Spelling
- il-LISS-ee-um flor-ih-DAY-num
- Description
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Looking for an evergreen shrub with handsome green foliage? If yes, look no further; 'Aztec Fire' anise is the plant for you. This landscape gem is a first cousin to the more commonly known Florida anise. Unique to this cultivar, it produces burgundy-colored flowers.
'Aztec Fire' will grow in full sun but really thrives in partial shade. It needs wet or constantly moist soil to thrive. Give this Mexican native plenty of room to grow. Typically, this shrub will reach a height of 8 feet and a width of 6 feet. Best of all, it has a natural pyramidal growth habit.
An evergreen beauty, 'Aztec Fire' is best used in a large shrub border. Plants also will fit nicely into a naturalized landscape planting. One interesting note: anise shrubs grown in full sun will possess lighter green foliage than those grown in partial shade. Consider this showstopper for your home landscape.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘Aztec Fire’
- ‘Aztec Fire’
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘Aztec Fire’
- ‘Aztec Fire’
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Illicium
- Species:
- floridanum
- Family:
- Schisandraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Play Value:
- Fragrance
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant, showy burgundy colored flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leathery
- Rubbery
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
