The two species most commonly grown in the United States.

Answer #1 stumpmulching.bar's Answer Hi Debbie - If your anise is an Illicium parviflorum, and is already large, you can do heavy pruning on it in late winter to reduce the size.

If the plant is a small one, you can do lighter pruning a couple times during the year to keep it down to size and shaped.

Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.

I would recommend taking no more that 6 inches or so of height off in a single pruning during the active growth season. Dec 24, For a more rounded, shrublike form, tip prune to encourage branching, especially when young. If a hedge is desired, plant on foot centers for compactness.

In a mixed shrub border, allow about 15 feet between Florida anise and other shrubs to maintain the individuality of each specimen. About Anise. Though this shrub is commonly called “anise” true anise is a perennial herb while so-called anise shrubs are woody evergreens, growing 10 to 15 feet in height and width.