1 / 10

Berberis trifoliolata

agarita

Berberidaceae

southwestern United States and northern Mexico

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Berberis trifoliolata, known as agarita, is an evergreen shrub of the barberry family native to the limestone country of the south-central United States and northern Mexico. It forms a dense, rounded mound 3-6 feet (90-180 cm) tall and wide, occasionally to 8 feet (2.4 m). The blue-gray to gray-green leaves are divided into three stiff leaflets, each edged with sharp spine-tipped teeth that make the foliage rigid and prickly. In late winter and early spring, clusters of small, fragrant yellow flowers open along the stems. These are followed in late spring by round red berries about 0.25 inch (6 mm) across, which are edible and are gathered for jelly and wine. The thick, spiny canopy gives cover and nesting sites for small birds. Agarita grows on rocky slopes, brushland, and open woodland in alkaline soils, and withstands heat, drought, and full exposure once established. The rigid spines make the shrub hard to work around, and its dense form resists shearing into formal shapes. Inner bark and roots contain yellow berberine alkaloids and were historically used as a dye.

Native Range

Native to the south-central United States and northern Mexico, including central and west Texas, southern New Mexico, Arizona, and the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas. It grows on limestone slopes, in brushland, and along the edges of oak and juniper woodland.

Suggested Uses

Used as a barrier or hedge, in xeriscape and native plantings, and for wildlife cover in hot, dry regions. Suited to rocky banks and unirrigated beds on alkaline soils.

How to Identify

Identified by rigid evergreen leaves split into three holly-like leaflets with sharp marginal spines and a blue-gray cast. Crushed stems and inner bark are bright yellow from berberine. Fragrant yellow flowers in late winter and small red berries in spring further set it apart from true Berberis spp. species with simple leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowers open from February to April, depending on winter warmth, lasting about 2-4 weeks. The yellow blooms are fragrant and draw early bees. Red berries ripen 6-8 weeks after flowering, in April and May.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

blue-gray to gray-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.5(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to light shade on well-drained, rocky, or sandy alkaline soils. Once established it needs no supplemental water and tolerates prolonged drought, heat, and reflected light. It is slow-growing and long-lived, adding only a few inches per year. Propagation is by seed, which needs cold stratification, or by semi-hardwood cuttings, though rooting is slow. Wet or poorly drained soil causes root problems. The shrub has few pests and is largely untouched by deer because of its spines.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed, as the shrub holds a naturally dense, rounded form. Stray or damaged stems can be removed in late spring after flowering. The sharp spines make heavy pruning slow and awkward.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic