Agarita is a native to love – by Steve Huddleston

Agarita has some of the most beautiful foliage of any shrub native to Texas. Click image for larger view.

Agarita is a beautiful evergreen shrub from the western half of Texas where it grows in open woods and on rocky slopes. You’ll find it in well-drained loam, clay, caliche, and limestone soils. It seems satisfied with just about any set of bright conditions.

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Agarita has rigid, spreading branches that develop into a dense shrub to 3 to 6 ft. tall and wide, although it can get as tall as 10 ft. under favorable conditions. In nature, quail and small mammals use the plant for cover.

If you’re interested in using agaritas in your landscape, set them into well-draining soil in sun or light shade. When planting them in masses space the plants 3 to 6 ft. apart.

Agarita against mesquite in a rustic setting between Fort Davis and Alpine in the Davis Mountains. This is what agarita calls “Home.” (Photo by Neil Sperry) Click image for larger view.

Their first two years in your landscape, water your new agaritas weekly from late spring through early fall. After that they will probably be able to survive on annual rainfall. They have no serious insect or disease problems, and deer leave them alone. Prune only as needed to remove an erratic branch here or there. Do not try to train agaritas into formal shapes.

Since agarita has very spiny foliage it’s best to use it away from high-traffic areas. It combines well with other native Texas xeriphytic plants such as red yucca, white-flowering yucca, zexmenia, autumn sage, Lindheimer’s muhly grass, and Mexican feather grass.

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Here’s what you’ll want to know…
• Common name: Agarita

• Botanical name: Berberis trifoliata

• Plant Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry family), which also includes barberries, mahonias, and nandinas

• Native range: Western half of Texas, also New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico

• Hardiness Zones: U.S.D.A. Zones 7-9

It’s hard to imagine a more brilliant shade of yellow.

• Flowers: Bright yellow, February and March

Agarita fruit are colorful and tasty for both humans and animals. Click image for larger view.

• Fruit: Showy, small red, ripens April to June. Makes delicious jelly. Favorite food of birds as well.

• Leaf character: Blue-gray, three-pointed with very sharp spines. Evergreen.

• Stems: Visible and attractive, proudly displaying flowers, fruit, and foliage. Internal wood is vivid yellow.

Posted by Steve Huddleston

About the Author

Steve Huddleston served as Senior Horticulturist at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden before his retirement. He then returned to the Garden as Public Relations Manager. He retired from that second position as well, but don’t expect to see him in the domino hall. Steve manages his own landscape design business which still gives him an opportunity to create beauty with plants. And, Grandpa Steve is going to be spending special family time in the future as well. And, of course, write for e-gardens monthly.

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