Small Anise Tree is an evergreen shrub native to central Florida's moist woodlands, where it thrives in zones 7-10 as a rounded, upright plant reaching 6 to 15 feet tall. Crush its shiny, olive-green elliptic leaves and you'll release a distinctive anise aroma that makes this plant instantly recognizable. In late spring, delicate yellow-green flowers give way to striking star-shaped fruit clusters that persist on the plant, creating visual interest long after bloom. Hardy and low-maintenance, it tolerates heavy shade and wet soil with equal grace, making it valuable for difficult garden spots where other plants struggle.
Partial Sun
Moderate
7-10
96in H x 108in W
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Moderate
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The crushed leaves release an unmistakable anise scent that lingers on your fingers, offering a sensory discovery every time you brush past the plant. This evergreen shrub thrives in the heavy shade and wet soil conditions that challenge most ornamentals, yet it also tolerates full sun if you keep the soil consistently moist. Its star-shaped fruit clusters are the real visual reward, turning the plant into a sculptural focal point from summer through winter. The tendency to spread by root suckers and root where branches touch ground means it naturally forms denser colonies over time, perfect for creating informal hedges or naturalizing in rain gardens.
Small Anise Tree works best as a naturalized landscape element in rain gardens and wet sites, or as an informal hedge where you want a dense, evergreen screen. Its tolerance for heavy shade and wet soil makes it exceptional for erosion control and stabilizing damp woodland edges. The aromatic foliage adds subtle sensory appeal when planted near pathways where visitors naturally brush against the leaves.
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Prune to shape the plant or manage its spreading tendency through root suckers, though the naturally rounded, upright growth habit requires minimal intervention. If you want to encourage denser growth or control the plant's spread into unwanted areas, remove sucker growth as it emerges from the base or where branches naturally root.
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