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Florida Sunshine Anise Illicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
il-LISS-ee-um par-VEE-flor-um
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

'Florida Sunshine' is a cultivar introduced by Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, NC. While the species is typically a large, upright, dense evergreen shrub or small tree, this cultivar is smaller and grows bright, chartreuse leaves that become even more strongly yellow in the fall and quite pale in the winter.  The stems will also redden with the cool weather, further increasing its ornamental value.  The foliage, like the species, produces its characteristic anise-like fragrance.

It is best to grow this cultivar in part shade as the leaves can scorch in large amounts of bright sunlight. It is not drought-tolerant and, therefore, requires moist, rich soil to properly grow. 

Woodland areas are optimal locations and it is a great option to add color to a winter garden.  The striking yellow leaves are also attractive in a mixed shrub border.

More information on Illicium parviflorum.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Collector’s Garden Four-Season Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#rain garden#shrub#slow growing#fragrant leaves#showy leaves#yellow leaves#winter interest#fall interest#chartreuse#year-round interest#moist soil#rich soils#deer resistant#foundation planting#red stems#border planting#evergreen shrub#winter garden#partial shade tolerant#shrub borders#container plant#hedge#th-smell#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#rain garden#shrub#slow growing#fragrant leaves#showy leaves#yellow leaves#winter interest#fall interest#chartreuse#year-round interest#moist soil#rich soils#deer resistant#foundation planting#red stems#border planting#evergreen shrub#winter garden#partial shade tolerant#shrub borders#container plant#hedge#th-smell#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Illicium
    Species:
    parviflorum
    Family:
    Schisandraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Garden Origin
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Fragrance
    Screening
    Edibility:
    All species and cultivars of Illicium, except for I. verum (Chinese Star Anise), have varying levels of toxicity.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    These imbricate yellow to yellowish-green flowers are 1/2" wide. There are 6-12 petals per flower and flowers have a faint, pleasant scent.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Unlike the species, the leaves are a bright chartreuse-green. While the leaves do not drop off in the fall or winter, they do change color from yellow to parchment-pale.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    Yes
    Stem Buds:
    Scaly
    Stem Bud Scales:
    Enclosed in more than 2 scales
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The smooth stems change from green in the summer to red in the fall. Like the species, they are glabrous, stout, and rounded with medium-large, imbricate buds.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Wet Soil
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    All species and cultivars of Illicium, except for I. verum (Chinese Star Anise), have varying levels of toxicity.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Sesquiterpene lactones
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Seeds