Illicium 'Florida Sunshine'

Illicium 'Florida Sunshine'

A glowing evergreen with chartreuse-golden foliage that shifts to hot yellow in fall. Fragrant, licorice-scented leaves and compact size make it an eye-catching accent for shade gardens, borders, and containers.

Size

Price: $23.99

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This plant is on pre-order, meaning if you order it now, it won't ship until spring of 2026.

Illicium 'Florida Sunshine'

Size

Price: $23.99

Features

Characteristics

Plant Needs

The ‘Florida Sunshine’ Illicium is a standout evergreen shrub that brings year-round brightness to shady spaces. Its glossy, chartreuse-golden leaves glow in the landscape, maturing to vibrant yellow in fall for an extra punch of seasonal color. Beginning in late spring, the foliage carries a subtle licorice fragrance, adding sensory appeal to its visual impact. Growing to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, it maintains a compact, upright habit that fits neatly into borders, mixed plantings, or container displays.

Why We Love It

At Creekside, we love shrubs that light up the garden when other plants fade into the background, and Florida Sunshine does exactly that. It thrives in partial shade where few plants shine, bringing luminous foliage that brightens dim corners through every season. Its durability, low-maintenance care, and glowing winter presence make it a reliable favorite for both gardeners and designers.

Characteristics

Plant Type:

Shrub

Height Category:

Medium

Garden Height:

5 Feet

Spread:

3 Feet

Foliage Colors:

Chartreuse, Golden, Yellow

Habit:

Compact

Attracts:

None

Plant Needs

Light Requirement:

Part Shade, Shade

Bloom Time:

Spring

Hardiness Zones:

7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Water Category:

Medium

Uses:

Accent, Border, Container, Cut Flowers, Hedge, Mass Planting

Maintenance Notes

  • Best in part shade to shade.
  • Prefers moist, well-drained soil; mulch 1–2″ deep to conserve moisture.
  • Water regularly during establishment; moderate water needs once established.
  • Fertilize yearly in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
  • Prune lightly in early spring to shape, if desired.
  • Hardy to USDA Zones 7a–9b (approx. 0°F to 10°F).
  • Note: Non-edible fruits; foliage and seeds should not be consumed.

Uses Notes

  • Excellent accent shrub for shady garden spaces.
  • Adds contrast and structure to borders and hedges.
  • Perfect in containers for four-season foliage color.
  • Beautiful in mass plantings for bold swaths of gold.
  • Strong choice for cut foliage in floral arrangements.

The ‘Florida Sunshine’ Illicium is a standout evergreen shrub that brings year-round brightness to shady spaces. Its glossy, chartreuse-golden leaves glow in the landscape, maturing to vibrant yellow in fall for an extra punch of seasonal color. Beginning in late spring, the foliage carries a subtle licorice fragrance, adding sensory appeal to its visual impact. Growing to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, it maintains a compact, upright habit that fits neatly into borders, mixed plantings, or container displays.

Why We Love It

At Creekside, we love shrubs that light up the garden when other plants fade into the background, and Florida Sunshine does exactly that. It thrives in partial shade where few plants shine, bringing luminous foliage that brightens dim corners through every season. Its durability, low-maintenance care, and glowing winter presence make it a reliable favorite for both gardeners and designers.

Plant Type:

Shrub

Height Category:

Medium

Garden Height:

5 Feet

Spread:

3 Feet

Foliage Colors:

Chartreuse, Golden, Yellow

Habit:

Compact

Attracts:

None

Light Requirement:

Part Shade, Shade

Bloom Time:

Spring

Hardiness Zones:

7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Water Category:

Medium

Uses:

Accent, Border, Container, Cut Flowers, Hedge, Mass Planting

Maintenance Notes

  • Best in part shade to shade.
  • Prefers moist, well-drained soil; mulch 1–2″ deep to conserve moisture.
  • Water regularly during establishment; moderate water needs once established.
  • Fertilize yearly in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
  • Prune lightly in early spring to shape, if desired.
  • Hardy to USDA Zones 7a–9b (approx. 0°F to 10°F).
  • Note: Non-edible fruits; foliage and seeds should not be consumed.

Uses Notes

  • Excellent accent shrub for shady garden spaces.
  • Adds contrast and structure to borders and hedges.
  • Perfect in containers for four-season foliage color.
  • Beautiful in mass plantings for bold swaths of gold.
  • Strong choice for cut foliage in floral arrangements.

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