Florida Sunshine anise tree (Illicium parviflorum

‘Florida Sunshine’), aka Ocala yellow star, is a southeast U.S. native which grows well on moderately shaded sites. Its evergreen, chartreuse colored, spring-summer foliage turns golden yellow in the fall. As its common name hints, the evergreen foliage emits a licorice scent.

The overall fall-winter show is nothing short of spectacular in a dull winter landscape. Leaf petioles and stems turn scarlet-red in the fall. Its ½ inch diameter creamy white flowers are easily missed in late spring.

Florida Sunshine grows vigorously into a dense shrub, 6 to 8 feet tall and slightly less in spread. Winter shade is advised to prevent leaf burning. Moist soils hasten annual growth rate. One year-established shrubs demonstrate better than average drought tolerance. Disease and pest problems and resistance to deer feeding have been reported, although additional reports need to be gathered.

Foliage may scorch in direct sun on exposed wintry sites in zone 6 areas. At the Milliken Arboretum in Spartanburg, SC (zone 7), Florida Sunshine is planted out on an open site with irrigation.

Make Florida Sunshine a bright focal point in your garden. It is a good choice for partly shaded woodland settings or in foundation plantings, or as a low – growing evergreen hedge. In containers its golden accent should be mixed with other colored foliage plants. Tender roots in containers should be protected over the frigid winter months.

Florida Sunshine was introduced by Tony Avent, owner of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, N.C.