‘Swamp Hobbit’ Florida Anise
Illicium floridanum ‘Swamp Hobbit’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:Â 6a-9b (10?)Â Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Evergreen Shrub / Groundcover
Height at Maturity:Â 8 inches in 5 years; 2 feet over time
Width at Maturity:Â 12 inches in 5 years; 5 feet over time
Spacing:Â 18″ for low hedge or mass plantings
Growth Habit / Form:Â Low Rounded Mound
Growth Rate:Â Moderate
Flower Color:Â Scarlet Red
Flower Size:Â 1.5″
Flowering Period:Â Spring
Flower Type:Â Single
Fragrant Flowers:Â Slight
Foliage Color:Â Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage:Â Yes, smells like anise
Berries/ Pods:Â Â NA
Sun Needs:Â Full To Mostly Shade, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun
Water Needs:Â Â Average
Soil Type:Â Â Clay, Loam, Sandy (amend for moisture retention), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage:Â Consistently Moist to Wet
Soil pH:Â 5.5 – 7.5
Maintenance / Care:Â Low
Attracts:Â Visual Attention
Resistances:Â Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Dense Shade, Rabbits
Descriptions
Discovered in Coosa County, AL by plantsman Dr. Ron Miller, ‘Swamp Hobbit’ Florida Anise is a wonderful, very dwarf selection of our native Illicium floridanum that grows to maybe 8 inches tall and a foot or so wide in 5 years, making it a perfect selection for smaller garden spaces. That said, over time it might reach 2 feet tall spreading to 5 feet wide. The large, anise-scented deep green leaves and abundant showy red flowers are the standard size of the species, but the very short internodes are what make it so dwarf. Shade and moisture tolerant, it is perfect for planting in partially to fully shaded gardens beds and woodland settings in consistently moist to wet soils, making it a fine choice aside streams and other bodies of water. You might be happy to know that deer and rabbits turn their nose up to it, and we hear it’s tested cold hardy as far north as Delaware USDA Zone 6.
Landscape & Garden Uses
With an spreading habit to 2 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide over time, the Swamp Hobbit Florida Anise is ideal for use as an accent in smaller garden spaces and containers or in groupings or as a low evergreen hedge or groundcover in shady woodland borders. Perfect for planting under large trees in areas with moisture retentive soil. An excellent home foundation plant for under low windows. A fine addition to woodland gardens, red them gardens, fragrance gardens and cottage gardens.
Suggested Spacing:Â 4 feet apart for solid hedges;Â 9 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Swamp Hobbit Florida Anise is very easy to grow in organically rich, consistently moist to wet soils in part shade to full shade. No pruning necessary.
Helpful Articles
Click on the link below to get helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Anise.
How To Plant & Care For Anise Shrubs & Trees
Plant Long & Prosper!
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