Lineage: Wild-Harvested Texas Native | Soil: Organic Heritage Mineral Blend
Our Agarita (Berberis trifoliolata) is an Artisan Grown icon of the Texas landscape. Often called the "Wild Currant," this shrub is the epitome of ranch-style resilience. With its signature holly-like, blue-grey foliage and a structural toughness that defines the Edwards Plateau, Agarita is as much a security feature as it is a visual masterpiece. While standard nurseries rarely stock this native because of its slow-growing nature and deep taproot, we embrace the wait—growing a plant that is built to protect your land and feed your soul for generations.
We begin with our surroundings. Every Agarita we grow starts from seeds hand-harvested from the most vigorous, berry-heavy "Mother" shrubs found tucked into the limestone draws of our ranch. These wild specimens have survived decades of Central Texas extremes. By starting with local, site-adapted genetics, we ensure your Agarita is pre-programmed to thrive in the specific mineral profile and erratic moisture cycles of the Dripping Springs and Austin corridor.
Agarita is defined by a deep, vertical taproot that resents the shallow, round pots of the commercial trade. To respect this biology, we sow our wild seeds directly into 4" x 12" Deep Tree Pots. These specialized, ultra-deep columns allow the sensitive primary root to drive a full foot deep before it ever encounters a boundary. By starting them in our Organic Heritage Mineral Blend, we allow the shrub to build its woody, yellow-hearted structure from the minerals it will inhabit for life. This "Taproot-First" method ensures a deep, permanent anchor into our rocky limestone.
Once potted, our Agaritas are sunk directly into outdoor sand beds for a minimum of 2 years. These beds have no barrier, allowing the pots to sit directly atop the raw, microbial-rich earth of our ranch.
By remaining sand-sunk for 2 full years, these shrubs experience every facet of harsh Texas hilltop life twice over. They have proven their strength through the searing heats and droughts of summer and the sharp bites winter. When you buy an Agarita from us, you are buying a ranch-tempered survivor that is biologically prepared for a resilient, irrigation-free life once established.
A multi-functional evergreen that provides unmatched security, seasonal fragrance, and legendary fruit.
Natural Security: The sharp, trifoliate leaves create an impenetrable evergreen barrier, making it the premier native choice for perimeter planting and "deterrent" hedging.
Honey-Scented Blooms: In late winter—when the rest of the landscape is still dormant—Agarita erupts in thousands of tiny, brilliant yellow flowers that smell like honey and provide a critical early-season pollen and nectar source for native bees.
The "Black Gold" of Berries: In late spring, the shrub produces bright red, tart berries that are a prized delicacy for making the finest wild tarts, jellies, and even wine in Texas.
Wildlife Stronghold: Because of its dense, prickly habit, it provides a safe haven and nesting site for songbirds, protecting them from predators.
Field-grown, sun-hardened, and ranch-tempered for 12 months. Delivered in a 4" x 12" Ultra-Deep Tree Pot with a vertical 12”, robust taproot system designed to anchor deep into our rocky Hill Country soil.
Agarita is the ultimate "plant it and forget it" shrub. It prefers full sun to part shade and good drainage. It thrives in the leanest, rockiest limestone soils where other plants fail. Avoid heavy watering once established; its genetics are trained for the natural Texas Xeriscape.
For a "High-Utility Ranch" design, plant Agarita as a mid-story shrub beneath your Texas Live Oaks. The blue-grey foliage provides a stunning color contrast against the dark oak bark, while the prickly leaves keep deer from congregating too close to your young trees.
Lineage: Wild-Harvested Texas Native | Soil: Organic Heritage Mineral Blend
Our Agarita (Berberis trifoliolata) is an Artisan Grown icon of the Texas landscape. Often called the "Wild Currant," this shrub is the epitome of ranch-style resilience. With its signature holly-like, blue-grey foliage and a structural toughness that defines the Edwards Plateau, Agarita is as much a security feature as it is a visual masterpiece. While standard nurseries rarely stock this native because of its slow-growing nature and deep taproot, we embrace the wait—growing a plant that is built to protect your land and feed your soul for generations.
We begin with our surroundings. Every Agarita we grow starts from seeds hand-harvested from the most vigorous, berry-heavy "Mother" shrubs found tucked into the limestone draws of our ranch. These wild specimens have survived decades of Central Texas extremes. By starting with local, site-adapted genetics, we ensure your Agarita is pre-programmed to thrive in the specific mineral profile and erratic moisture cycles of the Dripping Springs and Austin corridor.
Agarita is defined by a deep, vertical taproot that resents the shallow, round pots of the commercial trade. To respect this biology, we sow our wild seeds directly into 4" x 12" Deep Tree Pots. These specialized, ultra-deep columns allow the sensitive primary root to drive a full foot deep before it ever encounters a boundary. By starting them in our Organic Heritage Mineral Blend, we allow the shrub to build its woody, yellow-hearted structure from the minerals it will inhabit for life. This "Taproot-First" method ensures a deep, permanent anchor into our rocky limestone.
Once potted, our Agaritas are sunk directly into outdoor sand beds for a minimum of 2 years. These beds have no barrier, allowing the pots to sit directly atop the raw, microbial-rich earth of our ranch.
By remaining sand-sunk for 2 full years, these shrubs experience every facet of harsh Texas hilltop life twice over. They have proven their strength through the searing heats and droughts of summer and the sharp bites winter. When you buy an Agarita from us, you are buying a ranch-tempered survivor that is biologically prepared for a resilient, irrigation-free life once established.
A multi-functional evergreen that provides unmatched security, seasonal fragrance, and legendary fruit.
Natural Security: The sharp, trifoliate leaves create an impenetrable evergreen barrier, making it the premier native choice for perimeter planting and "deterrent" hedging.
Honey-Scented Blooms: In late winter—when the rest of the landscape is still dormant—Agarita erupts in thousands of tiny, brilliant yellow flowers that smell like honey and provide a critical early-season pollen and nectar source for native bees.
The "Black Gold" of Berries: In late spring, the shrub produces bright red, tart berries that are a prized delicacy for making the finest wild tarts, jellies, and even wine in Texas.
Wildlife Stronghold: Because of its dense, prickly habit, it provides a safe haven and nesting site for songbirds, protecting them from predators.
Field-grown, sun-hardened, and ranch-tempered for 12 months. Delivered in a 4" x 12" Ultra-Deep Tree Pot with a vertical 12”, robust taproot system designed to anchor deep into our rocky Hill Country soil.
Agarita is the ultimate "plant it and forget it" shrub. It prefers full sun to part shade and good drainage. It thrives in the leanest, rockiest limestone soils where other plants fail. Avoid heavy watering once established; its genetics are trained for the natural Texas Xeriscape.
For a "High-Utility Ranch" design, plant Agarita as a mid-story shrub beneath your Texas Live Oaks. The blue-grey foliage provides a stunning color contrast against the dark oak bark, while the prickly leaves keep deer from congregating too close to your young trees.
Our plants are intentionally cultivated to be site-adapted and focus their energy on growing larger, faster, and healthier below ground so they can take-off above ground once planted. All plants are grown to prioritize dense, downward-oriented root systems that allow rapid establishment in non-irrigated, deer-pressured landscapes.
Water and cage until established. Even for deer resistant plants, expect browsing, especially during drought — survival comes from the roots.
