Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata) · Species Notes · Short's Resort Field Station

Restoration Role

Evergreen structural shrub. Agarita provides bird cover, berries, pollinator flowers, drought tolerance, and deer resistance.

Site Suitability

PrimaryUpland Savanna, Shelterbelt, Filter Band

SecondaryDry drainage edge

AvoidWet drainage core, floodplain

SoilsSeC, RuB, SuB

HydrologyDry, well-drained

Propagation & Care

Seed collectionCollect ripe red berries May–June.

StratificationWarm stratification 60–90 days followed by cold stratification 60–90 days recommended.

PropagationFrom root suckers (primary): often the surest route — agarita resents disturbance, so pot gently and keep several. From seed: clean pulp thoroughly, sow 1/4 inch deep; germination may take 3–12 months. From cuttings: semi-hardwood late summer to early fall, 50–70% perlite media + rooting hormone, keep humid but not soggy.

Container progressionSeed / cutting → 5-inch pot → 1-gal fabric if needed → Field planting.

Nursery wateringLow to moderate. Avoid saturation. — Fabric stage (if the plant moves up from the 5-inch pot): fabric dries much faster than plastic and needs substantially more frequent watering outdoors in a Central Texas summer; the exact frequency is not yet set at the bench (open).

LightBright light. Harden to full sun.

OutplantingBest age 12–24 months. Plant November–February. Stock held in a 1-gal fabric pot may be outplanted later — air-pruned roots don’t circle, so the window extends; the actual figure will come from the first cohort.

Establishment Watering

Year 1: 5 gallons every 2–3 weeks during drought.
Year 2: drought only.

Field notesSlow, stubborn, and worth it. Do not throw away seed trays too early.