Woodland Ruby Anise Tree Illicium 'Woodland Ruby'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- il-LISS-ee-um
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Illicium ‘Woodland Ruby’ is a hybrid cross between I. floridanum ‘Alba’ and I. mexicanum. This rounded shrub or small tree produces large, vibrant purple-red to rose-pink flowers from spring into fall. Anise-scented evergreen leaves and a mature height and width of 8 feet make it an excellent choice as a specimen or a hedge in shade or part shade. Because the plant is not particularly winter hardy and should be protected from winter winds, it can also be grown in containers and brought indoors over winter.
While 'Woodland Ruby' grows best in partial to full shade, it can tolerate sun if it is well watered. Organically rich soil should be kept moist and extra irrigation applied during prolonged dry spells, as it tends to wilt. Established plants, however, are drought-tolerant. The recommended USDA zones range from 7 to 10. Plants can be trimmed to control height.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Illicium
- Family:
- Schisandraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides cover for birds.
- Edibility:
- All species and cultivars of Illicium, except for I. verum (Chinese Star Anise), have varying levels of toxicity.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an aggregate of follicles arranged in a star-shaped whorl.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Many petaled red flowers, 1 1/2 to 2 inches, appear in early spring and fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate green leaves on petioles have entire margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
