Species mahonia
Yellow flowers, burgundy stems, beige branches, green leaves, yellow midrib, veins and blades.

mahonia

Mahonia trifoliolata

Mahonia, commonly known as Agarita, is a deciduous shrub that is native to the Southern United States. It grows up to 6 feet tall and features bright green foliage and yellow flowers in the spring. The foliage has a deep metallic green color that turns a maroon-red in the fall. The fruit of the mahonia has a pleasant, tart flavor and can be used in jams and jellies or dried for teas and other infusions. This tough plant tolerates heat and drought and is a great choice for wild or drought-tolerant gardens. It can also be grown as a hedge or used as a natural screen for privacy.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

blue,black Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Mahonia trifoliolata should be watered thoroughly once a week, allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out in between waterings. During hot weather or periods of drought, water the mahonia more often to keep the soil moist. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is partially dormant. Always check the soil before watering to ensure it is dry - overwatering can damage the roots; if in doubt, wait a few days before drinking.

sunlight

Mahonia trifoliolata, also known as Texas barberry, is a sun-loving plant species that thrives in full sunlight. Depending on their location, mahonia plants can need between 4 and 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, their ideal growing conditions are when they receive an equal amount of direct sunlight and indirect sunlight throughout the day. If grown in too much shade or dark conditions, the plants will become floppy and will not produce enough flowers and berries. For maximum growth and flowering potential, mahonia plants should be planted in a location that receives at least 4 hours of direct sun each day.

pruning

Mahonia trifoliolata should be pruned in late winter beginning with removing any damaged, dead, or diseased branches. It is important to wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt when pruning this plant as the foliage is spiny. When pruning, it is best to remove 1-third to no more than 1-half of the plant’s growth at any 1 time in order to reduce shock and prolonged growth stages. This species of mahonia can also be trimmed back lightly throughout the growing season to promote bushier habits and to keep size in check.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

trifoliata The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Mahonia trifoliolata is usually in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Starts Flowering

Mahonia trifoliolata typically starts flowering in late winter or early spring, usually between February and April.

Starts Flowering

Mahonia trifoliolata typically starts flowering in late winter or early spring, usually between February and April.

Harvest Fruit

trifoliata The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Mahonia trifoliolata is usually in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Hardiness Map