Maintenance Landscaping Design

Anise shrub is a plant that belongs to the mint family. It is a perennial plant that can grow up to two meters in height. The anise shrub has ovate or lanceolate leaves and its flowers are white or pink in color. This plant is native to Mediterranean countries but it can also be found in other parts of the world.

Alternative name

• Licorice root
  
• Fennel
  
• Anise
  
• Star anise
  
• Aniseed

Things to Know

• Anise shrub is a perennial herbaceous plant.
  
• It is native to the Mediterranean region.
  
• The anise shrub grows to a height of 1-2 m.
  
• The leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceolate, and measure 2-5 cm in length.
  
• The flowers are white or pale pink and borne in umbels.
  
• The fruit is a dry, brownish-black drupe.
  
• The anise shrub is cultivated for its fruit, which is used as a spice.
  
• The essential oil of anise shrub is used in the manufacture of soaps, perfumes, and liqueurs.
  
• Anise shrub is considered to be a source of the dietary fiber inulin.
  
• An extract of anise shrub is used as a flavoring agent in some brands of toothpaste.

Planting Process

1. For anise shrub, first step is to start with well-drained soil in full sun.
   
2. It is best to plant anise shrub in the spring or early fall.
   
3. Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart.
   
4. Anise shrub can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or layering.
   
5. To plant by seed, sow the seed in the spring after the last frost date.
   
6. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge.
   
7. When seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall, thin them to one plant per 4 to 5 feet.
   
8. To propagate by cuttings, take 6-inch cuttings from the tips of new growth in late spring or early summer.
   
9. Insert the cuttings into moist sand or perlite.
   
10. Keep the cuttings moist and they should root in 4 to 6 weeks.

Related plant:
Florida Anise

Considering the Soil

About soil , the anise shrub prefers it to be well drained but also moist conditions and it is also important for the anise shrub to have full sun. The anise shrub can tolerate clay and sand. This shrub also does not like to have its roots disturbed.

Light requirement

So, like the other plants, the anise shrub needs sunlight to grow. However, it is not a plant that needs a lot of sun. It can grow in shady areas as well as in full sun. This makes it a good plant for people who do not have a lot of sun in their yard.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that anise shrubs need are average to warm. They do best in full sun to partial shade, and need moist, but well-drained soil. Anise shrubs are not drought tolerant and will not do well in areas that are excessively hot or humid.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% and above. The Anise Shrub prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate drought conditions. It is a slow grower and can reach a height of 6 to 10 feet. The plant does best in full sun but can tolerate some shade.

The Fertilizer

The fertilizer, this type of plant need, is dependent on the size of the anise shrub. For a large shrub, you will need to use more fertilizer than for a small one. The roots of the anise shrub are very sensitive to the type of fertilizer you use. If you use a fertilizer with too much nitrogen, the roots will burn.

About light

Pruning is an important part of keeping your anise shrub healthy and strong. Depending on the size and age of your shrub, you'll need to prune it anywhere from once a year to once every few years. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or diseased branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. This will help promote good air circulation and prevent the spread of disease.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is generally done through rooting stem cuttings taken from the desired plant. The anise shrub can be propagated in this way. To root the stem cuttings, fill a planting pot with moistened potting mix. Place the cutting in the pot, and then cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a humid environment. Place the pot in a location where it will receive indirect sunlight. Check the pot daily, and mist the potting mix if it starts to dry out. After a few weeks, the cutting should have rooted and can be transplanted to its permanent location.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is fast during the first two years after planting. After that, growth slows somewhat, but continue at a moderate pace for many years. Anise shrub typically reach a height of 6 to 10 feet and a spread of 4 to 8 feet.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew and root rot. To prevent powdery mildew, water the shrub at the base of the plant, not from above. Root rot can be prevented by making sure the plant has good drainage and is not over-watered.

Growing Tips

• If you are growing anise shrub from seed, start the seeds indoors in late winter or early spring.
  
• Sow the seeds on the surface of a moistened seed-starting mix and cover with a thin layer of the mix.
  
• Keep the soil moist but not wet and place the seed-starting tray in a warm location.
  
• Germination should occur within two to three weeks.
  
• Once the seedlings emerge, thin them so that only the strongest plant remains in each pot.
  
• Transplant the seedlings into individual pots when they have several sets of true leaves.
  
• Grow the seedlings under bright, filtered light until they are ready to be transplanted outdoors.
  
• Choose a planting location for your anise shrub that receives full sun to partial shade.
  
• Amend the soil with organic matter prior to planting.
  
• Water your anise shrub

Similar Plants

• Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), a shrub native to southeast North America
  
• Wisteria (Wisteria), a genus of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae
  
• Western chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), a species of chokecherry native to western North America
  
• Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), a species of flowering plant in the bayberry family
  
• Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera), a species of cypress native to Japan
  
• Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), a species of Sassafras native to eastern North America
  
• Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), a species of dogwood native to North America
  
• Purple-leaf sand cherry (Prunus x cistena), a hybrid species of flowering plant in the

Source:
Native Shrubs for Mississippi Landscapes
Illicium parviflorum - University of Florida
Native Shrubs | University of Maryland Extension - UMD