Shrub
Yellow Anise
Illicium parviflorum
Monrovia® varieties
Traits
Varieties We Carry
StandardIllicium parviflorumFlorida SunshineIllicium parviflorumGreenIllicium parviflorum
Sizes & Pricing
#2MonroviaFrom$49.95
3 galFrom$16.95
7 galFrom$39.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 15.
LightFull Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size10-15 feet × 8-12 feet
About Yellow Anise
Yellow anise (Illicium parviflorum) is a fast-growing Florida-native evergreen shrub with strongly anise-scented foliage and inconspicuous yellowish spring flowers. Native to spring-fed stream edges in central Florida and hardy through zone 9b, it forms a dense aromatic screen or hedge in moist to moderately dry shaded or sunny sites in NE Florida landscapes. Starting at $16.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White, Yellow
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Acidic, Moist, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Yellow anise grows well in full sun through full shade, though it may thin out in heavy shade; in NE Florida it performs well in full sun if soils are kept consistently moist, and is an excellent choice for shaded understory or north-facing beds where few large shrubs thrive.
Water
Yellow anise prefers consistently moist, rich soil and appreciates regular watering — especially in its first two years. Once established it tolerates some drought, but in NE Florida's sandy soils supplemental irrigation during dry periods (October–May) keeps it vigorous and dense.
Soil & Fertilizer
Plant yellow anise in moist, acidic, organically rich sandy or loamy soil; amend with compost at planting to improve moisture retention in NE Florida's droughty sands. Apply a slow-release acid-forming fertilizer (e.g., azalea/camellia formula) once in spring to maintain lush, dark green foliage.
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Common questions
Is Yellow Anise a good plant for St. Augustine?
Yellow Anise is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with low salt tolerance, reaching 10-15 feet × 8-12 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.