Agarita, also known as Algerita, Agritos, Currant-of-Texas, Wild Currant, and Chaparral Berry is a tough, iconic Texas native shrub. Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata) is a hardy, evergreen native Texas shrub known for its "holly-like" prickly leaves and bright yellow, fragrant spring flowers. It produces small red berries in early summer that are edible and often used for jellies. Agarita is extremely drought-tolerant once established. They thrive in rocky, dry soils and partial to full sun, making it an excellent low-maintenance plant for native landscapes and wildlife gardens.
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Scientific Name
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Mahonia trifoliolata (syn. Berberis trifoliolata)
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Foliage: Evergreen
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Leaves: Blue-gray to gray-green leaves stay on the plant year-round. Each leaf is divided into three leaflets with sharp, spine-tipped lobes.
Flowers: Late winter to Early spring (February-April) clusters of tiny, honey-scented yellow flowers appear.
Fruit: Bright red, edible berries form in the early summer. These are popular for making "Agarita Jelly".
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Mature Height
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3-6 feet (occasionally up to 8-10 feet)
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Mature Width (Spread)
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3-6 feet
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Growth Rate
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Slow to Moderate
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USDA Zone
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7-9 (Cold hardy to approx. 0F to 15F)
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Plant Care & Characteristics
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade. It produces the most growth and berries in full sun but handles filtered shade well.
Water Requirements: Very Low. Once established, it survives on natural rainfall. Over-watering or poor drainage is one of the few ways to kill this plant.
Drought Resistance: High. It is drought-tolerant and heat hardy, making it a great plant for xeriscaping.
Soil Type: Well drained. It thrives in rocky, gravelly, or sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of alkaline (limestone) soils. It struggles in clay.
Deer Resistance: High. The stiff, needle-sharp leaves make it unappealing to deer.
Placement: Because the foliage is painfully sharp, it is recommended to avoid planting Agarita near high-traffic areas such as sidewalks, or child play zones. It works best as a "security hedge" where its spines won't be an issue for passersby.
