The Mahonia trifoliolata shrub typically grows 2-6 feet tall and wide, with prickly trifoliate leaves, fragrant yellow flowers, and globular red berries. This plant is native to flats and slopes in grassland, shrubby areas, rocky hillsides, pastures, and open woodlands from western Texas to Arizona and south to northern Mexico. Each thick leaflet of a trifoliate leaf has 1-3 spines. The yellow flowers bloom in axillary clusters in early spring, followed by edible berries that mature from orange to red. These berries can make jams and jellies, and birds find them appealing.
Mahonia trifoliolata plants can be grown in full sun to light shade in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in USDA Zones 7-9. They tolerate slightly alkaline soils and are drought-tolerant. It's best to place the plant in a location protected from strong winds. The plants spread through suckering, and if naturalization is not desired, suckers should be removed as soon as they appear. There may be problems with fruiting on a single specimen shrub, so planting more than one shrub together is recommended for best fruit production.
Plants can be grown in full sun to light shade in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in USDA Zones 7-9. It tolerates slightly alkaline soils. Drought-tolerant. Place the plant in a location that is protected from strong winds. Plants spread through suckering. If naturalization is not desired, suckers should be removed as soon as they appear. There may be problems with fruiting on a single specimen shrub. For best fruit production, plant more than one shrub together.
