Year-Round Yellow Foliage Brightens Up Shaded Spaces
Looking to brighten up a shaded space year-round? The Florida Sunshine Illicium delivers bold color in one easy-care package. This standout evergreen shrub features vibrant, chartreuse foliage that intensifies to brilliant yellow in fall and pale gold in winter. As temperatures drop, the red-tinted stems provide striking contrast for extra visual interest.
Smaller and more compact than its parent species, the Florida Sunshine grows in a dense, upright habit that reaches about 4–6 feet tall. It features fragrant, anise-scented foliage and is ideal for woodland borders, shady foundations, or bright accents in low-light garden beds.
Whether you’re designing a serene woodland garden or want to bring year-round brightness to your foundation plantings, the Florida Sunshine Illicium is an unbeatable choice. With fragrant foliage and unmatched seasonal color, the Florida Sunshine Illicium is a four-season standout for shaded landscapes. Grow yours today!
About Southern Living®: The Southern Living® Plant Collection was created to bring gardeners plants that truly thrive in real-world landscapes. Each variety is carefully selected and rigorously tested to ensure it performs beautifully—especially in challenging Southern conditions like heat and humidity. Since its introduction in 2008, the collection has focused on offering reliable, solution-driven plants with outstanding color, form, and durability, so you can garden with confidence and enjoy lasting results.
Planting & Care
Planting: Plant in partial to full shade where foliage is protected from harsh sun. Choose rich, well-draining soil with consistent moisture. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, set the plant slightly above soil level, backfill, and mulch 1–2″ deep, avoiding contact with the stem.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during the first growing season and in hotter climates. While mature plants tolerate brief dry spells, Florida Sunshine Illicium prefers evenly moist conditions and is not fully drought-tolerant.
Fertilizing: Fertilize once in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support lush foliage and strong growth. Avoid overfeeding, which can reduce the vibrancy of the foliage color.
Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed. Shape the plant in early spring before new growth emerges. Remove any dead or crossing branches to maintain a clean, upright structure and enhance air circulation.
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