Agarita

Sun or shade. Evergreen, with blue or green leaves bearing sharp points. Yellow flowers appear briefly in early spring, followed by red berries. Agarita’s prickly and rugged leaves are a signature of south-central Texas. Stiff stems form a mounding shrub up to 5′ in height. Agarita grows in thickets, canyons and woodlands. Though it’s frequently clear-cut during residential construction, it has been showcased in watersaver landscapes, paired with yucca and mountain laurel to lend instant Hill Country flavor. Though it can be hard to locate at big box stores, agarita can generally be obtained from nurseries specializing in native plants.