How to grow Agarita

Berberis trifoliolata

Dappled Sun
Low

Needs well drained soil, sun to part-sun.

Growing Agarita from seed

Seed does not remain viable for more than a season. Place drupes and water into a blender with rubber paddles and blend into a ‘smoothie’, then strain through cheesecloth at least three times to get the pectin out. Cold stratification in sand for 30-60 days over the summer, plant in greenhouse trays in the fall. ¹

Some success has been noted with dormant cuttings from the previous season’s growth.

Transplanting Agarita

Seedlings are often kept in trays for the first year before potting up to gallon containers before being hardened off and planted out. Medium must be well drained as seedlings are subject to damp off.

As Agarita is hardy, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

How long does Agarita take to grow?

These estimates for how long Agarita takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Agarita to germinate?: 60 days
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Days to Maturity How long until Agarita is ready for harvest / bloom?: + days
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Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Agarita?: = days

Agarita Folklore & Trivia

It is said that the German settlers to Texas used the bright interior wood of the yellow stems and roots to make a dye for their hair. Deer are known to leave their fawns underneath for protection, thus giving it the name ‘Babysitter Bush’.

Other names for Agarita

Agarito, Algerita, Barberry, Babysitter bush, Mahonia, Paisano bush

Mahonia trifoliolata

Footnotes

¹ “Nokes, Jill. How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest. University of Texas Press, 2001.”