After a long break, we are happy to continue our individual Texas native plants profiles and today we will put the spotlight on Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata).
From the entry:
“Agarita is a tough sell; It’s thorny and scraggly. But its many positive characteristics are well worth considering: It’s an evergreen, will thrive both in full sun and part shade, has profuse yellow flowers in early spring following by edible red berries, very deer resistance, and off course extremely drought tolerant. It is quite prickly so do make sure to design this Texas native shrub away from pedestrian ways and any place where folks can stumble upon it. Highly recommended in any heavy deer pressure, Xeriscape landscape designs. Fun fact: How to collect those delicious, thorn protected berries? Hand gathering will surly end up a tearful and frustrating experience. Put a bag or a small tarp underneath the plant and give it a few good whacks with a stick. The ripest of berries will fall and all that left for you is to devour those wild candies. Agarita berries are an excellent jelly ingredient as well.”
What do you think about Agarita? Do you grow it yourself? What kind of experience and insights you have to share? We love featuring our readers’ plant pictures and Xeriscapes!