Agarita
Mahonia trifoliolata
Last reviewed: July 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–72" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar
Native to
TX, NM, OK
Pollinators
bees
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A dense, evergreen shrub with holly-like, spine-tipped blue-green leaflets and clusters of small, fragrant yellow flowers that appear in late winter before most other plants bloom. Flowers give way to tart red berries later in the season. Slow-growing and long-lived, tolerating poor, rocky soil and drought.
In an HOA neighborhood
Agarita is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone, backyard only.
- spine-tipped leaves can be a hazard directly along walkways
Wildlife value
Early-season yellow flowers provide one of the first nectar sources of the year for bees, and the later berries feed birds and small mammals.
Common questions
- How much sun does Agarita need?
- Agarita grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Agarita bloom?
- Agarita blooms in February and March.
- Where is Agarita native?
- Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata) is native to TX, NM, OK, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Agarita attract?
- Agarita draws bees.
- Is Agarita HOA-friendly?
- Agarita is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Agarita fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.