Bananappeal Illicium is an ornamental shrub offering year-round beauty in garden spaces. This evergreen plant is valued for its distinct fragrance and attractive foliage. Its compact nature and vibrant color provide consistent visual interest.
Understanding Bananappeal Illicium
The plant is botanically known as Illicium parviflorum ‘Bananappeal’. It is commonly referred to as Bananappeal Small Anise or Bananappeal Anise Tree. This cultivar originates from the Southern United States, specifically Florida and southern Georgia.
Bananappeal Illicium exhibits a compact, rounded, and dense growth habit, distinguishing it from other Illicium species by not producing suckers. It typically reaches 3 to 4 feet in both height and width, making it a well-behaved shrub for various garden settings. Its glossy, elliptic foliage displays a vibrant chartreuse yellow and green color, deepening to a golden-yellow in cooler weather, providing consistent color throughout the year. When crushed, the leaves release an anise-like, licorice, or banana-like fragrance, contributing to its common name. The plant also produces small, subtle yellowish-green, star-shaped flowers in spring or early summer, which, while not highly showy, are fragrant and attract pollinators.
Caring for Bananappeal Illicium
Bananappeal Illicium thrives in partial to full shade, performing well in dappled sunlight or locations protected from intense afternoon sun, which can prevent leaf bleaching. Morning sun exposure is generally well-tolerated. It prefers moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (ideally between 6.0 and 7.0). It can adapt to various soil types, including loam, sand, or clay, provided drainage is adequate.
Consistent moisture is beneficial, especially during establishment and dry periods, but avoid waterlogging. Once established, it demonstrates some drought tolerance. This shrub is relatively low-maintenance regarding fertilization; however, it can benefit from a balanced fertilizer application in the spring, or an acid-loving plant fertilizer applied in both spring and fall.
Pruning requirements are minimal, typically involving light shaping or the removal of any dead or damaged branches. The optimal time for pruning is after the plant has finished flowering or in late winter to early spring, before new growth emerges. Bananappeal Illicium generally exhibits good resistance to most common pests and diseases.
Using Bananappeal Illicium in Your Landscape
Bananappeal Illicium is highly versatile for landscape designs. Its bright foliage makes it an excellent choice for brightening shady garden spots, adding a luminous quality to areas that might otherwise appear dark. The evergreen shrub is suitable for foundation plantings.
The plant can also be used to create informal hedges or screens due to its dense growth habit. Its compact size allows it to be grown effectively in larger containers, serving as a focal point or accent plant on patios or decks. Placing it in fragrance gardens allows its unique anise-like scent, particularly when the leaves are brushed, to be fully appreciated. Its small flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to garden biodiversity.
Important Considerations
All parts of Illicium parviflorum are considered toxic if ingested. This plant should not be confused with culinary star anise (Illicium verum), which is safe for consumption. Exercise caution around children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
The plant is generally resistant to deer browsing. Bananappeal Illicium is cold hardy and can be successfully grown in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9, indicating its adaptability to a range of temperate climates.