Illicium floridanum 'Miss Scarlett®' (Florida Anise)

Illicium floridanum 'Miss Scarlet' is a showy cultivar of Florida anisetree, a dense, upright, evergreen shrub, originally native to Florida and several other states along the Gulf of Mexico. Typically found as an understory shrub or small tree in wetter, swampy areas, the 'Miss Scarlet' variety of Florida anisetree grows best in full to partial shade, and grows to a compact, semi-dwarf size of approximately 4-6' tall and 3-4' wide, making it an excellent choice for medium sized shade hedges, evergreen accents, and foundation plantings, where its large, very showy scarlet-red flowers create an excellent pop of color among even, fragrant, dark green foliage when they go into bloom in the late spring and summer months. These blooms also attract beneficial insects to garden spaces, where their fragrance and ornamental appeal will be on full display for gardeners.

Florida anisetree draws its name from the spicy, anise-like scent produced by brushing or bruising plant tissues; in fact, Illicium floridanum is related to the plant from which we get star anise, Illicium verum, though Florida anisetree should not be used in edible plant gardens, as the seeds and parts of many star anise relatives are toxic. This toxicity and fragance makes Illicium floridanum 'Miss Scarlet' highly resistant to deer and rabbit damage, and since it tolerates medium-moist soils, shady conditions, and a variety of soil types including heavy clays, it makes for a versatile shrub choice in a number of locations around the home landscape. While not a true native to the American Northeast at least, 'Miss Scarlet' is hardy from USDA Zones 7a-10b, and holds its color well even during frigid winters in Maryland.