Today you’re going to discover Agarita, a native Texas plant that could be a fantastic addition to your garden! Here are some compelling reasons to consider checking out this unique plant at either of our Rainbow Gardens locations. (Featured photo courtesy Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center)
(Above photo Courtesy Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center)
9 Reasons to Fall in Love with Agarita
- Soil Requirements: Agarita thrives in well-drained soils, particularly those that are sandy or gravelly. This adaptability makes it an excellent choice for various garden settings.
- Light: This resilient plant prefers full sun to partial shade. A spot in the landscape that receives most of its direct sun in the morning and early afternoons is perfect.
- Cold Hardiness: This native shrub is cold hardy down to 0°F (-18°C), allowing it to withstand the chilly winters of Texas without issue. That means no scurrying about with freeze protection. You can sit back and relax when the forecast shows dropping temperatures.
- Drought Tolerance: You’ll need to water adequately at planting and to get this plant established, but after that, it is highly drought-tolerant. This is a perfect xeriscape option. A plant with low water needs sure comes in handy when summer rolls around and rainfall is hard to come by.
- Deer Resistance: Agarita ranks high on deer resistant qualities. Its spiky foliage deters inquiring noses making it an excellent choice for gardens where these animals are usually a concern.
- Pest and Disease Resilience: This hardy plant has few pest or disease problems, making it a low maintenance option for gardeners without a lot of time on their hands.
- Yellow Flowers: Feb through April, enjoy the sunshine-yellow, fragrant blooms that attract pollinators. It’s a great honey source.
- Edible Berries: One of the standout features of Agarita is its red, edible berries, that follow the flowers and hang on the shrub from May to July. These berries are best enjoyed in jams and jellies; leave the fresh berries for the songbirds. Just be cautious of sharp leaves when harvesting!
- Planting Advice: While we think this shrub is best suited for landscapes where it has room to spread, it can also thrive in larger containers. Growing it in containers will also mean its mature size will be much smaller.Â
- Mature Size: On average, Agarita reaches a mature height of 3 to 6 feet and a width of 3 to 4 feet, making it an excellent choice for creating visual interest in your garden. Not too small, not too big.
Agarita offers aesthetic appeal with its vibrant, evergreen foliage and beautiful berries, and also boasts impressive resilience and low upkeep. Whether you’re looking to enhance your landscape or explore new edible options for you and for wildlife (but not deer), this native Texas plant just might be what you’re looking for.
~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy
and I am excited…WHERE CAN i BUY THIS AGARITA?
Hi Colleen,
Yay! Agarita is one of our super cool native plants. Both of our locations (see this link) have them in stock as of today, 3/24/2025. If you plan to visit much later than the next day or so, you might need to call ahead to see if they are still in stock. In spring, our inventory changes quickly, sometimes in the next day. Just giving you a heads up.