Illicium ‘Woodland Ruby’ is a hybrid cross between I. floridanum ‘Alba’ and I. mexicanum. This rounded shrub or small tree produces large, vibrant purple-red to rose-pink flowers from spring into fall. Anise-scented evergreen leaves and a mature height and width of 8 feet make it an excellent choice as a specimen or a hedge in shade or part shade. Because the plant is not particularly winter hardy and should be protected from winter winds, it can also be grown in containers and brought indoors over winter. While 'Woodland Ruby' grows best in partial to full shade, it can tolerate sun if it is well watered. Organically rich soil should be kept moist and extra irrigation applied during prolonged dry spells, as it tends to wilt. Established plants, however, are drought-tolerant. The recommended USDA zones range from 7 to 10. Plants can be trimmed to control height. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Illicium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheIllicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine'Picea laxa 'Conica'Salvia rosmarinus
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Poisonous; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate green leaves on petioles have entire margins.
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Many petaled red flowers, 1 1/2 to 2 inches, appear in early spring and fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is an aggregate of follicles arranged in a star-shaped whorl.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Provides cover for birds.
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Follicle
Edibility
All species and cultivars of Illicium, except for I. verum (Chinese Star Anise), have varying levels of toxicity.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Shade Garden
Design feature
Border; Hedge; Specimen
Garden tags
#flowers early fall #red flowers #flowers early spring #poisonous #small tree #container plant #shrub #fragrant leaves #partial shade tolerant #deer resistant #evergreen
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans
Resistant to
Deer; Rabbits
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Fruits; Leaves; Seeds
Poison symptoms
All species and cultivars of Illicium, except for I. verum (Chinese Star Anise), have varying levels of toxicity.
Toxic principle
Sesquiterpene lactones
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Fruits; Leaves; Seeds