Halley's Comet Florida Anise. This is a selection found by the late Dr. John Allen Smith of Magnolia Nursery, Mobile, AL, and it is similar in all respects to the species except that this one has 2 flowering periods, fall and spring. The flower production is quite unbelievable. Additionally, George Sanko of Atlanta Perimeter University Arboretum has noticed that it tolerates full sun far better than the species. I can confirm this in that we can grow it in full sun here at our nursery; whereas, we have to grow the other cultivars of the species in filtered sun. One of the truly great native plants for the landscape. In the landscape it has survived down to -9°F (-23°C), but Dirr reports lab tests where it has survived to -15°F (-26°C). Quite unusual for a plant native to the Deep South!
Zones 5-9
