Fig Trees
Fig Trees
We have partnered with the wonderful folks at Tropic of Canada to offer you unique varieties of hardy figs, which can be grown in containers, or directly in the ground in zone 6 (some sources say these figs are even hardy to zone 4 with sufficient winter protection - but that requires some research on your behalf to properly protect your plants!) with a heavy mulch to help insulate the plants. We have found the tops tend to die back at our location, so for reliable cropping, we highly recommend growing figs in containers, however there are many Youtube videos and this excellent book to help you on your journey to growing figs in your backyard!
What is 'breba'?
Breba crops are much like everbearing raspberries, where fruit is produced on the previous years growth, creating a crop early in summer, followed by the main crop in early fall. Breba means second crop, but it comes first in the growing season, and it often is smaller is quantity and size than the main crop. When pruning your figs, it's important to remember that if your variety produces a breba crop, you want to only prune out 2+ year old wood, or you risk pruning out your breba crop.
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History: The origins of Beer's Black are a mystery, but the excellent fruit proves why it continues to be a popular variety today!
Why We Grow It: Beer's Black produces medium figs with dark violet skin and magenta flesh that are quite sweet. They are excellent for eating fresh or drying!
History: Fignomenal originated as a spontaneous mutation on a Chicago Hardy fig. It likely originated in Italy although exact details are uncertain.
Why We Grow It: Fignomenal is a compact and relatively low maintenance variety which makes it ideal for indoor/container growing. It produces an abundant crop of medium-sized figs with deep brown skin and pink flesh that are quite sweet.
History: Although we do not know for sure, it is likely we carry the Green or White Ischia fig (there has historically been a lot of confusion between the two!). Ischia figs were introduced to the English-speaking world by Philip Miller in his book The Gardeners Dictionary (note: it uses the old English spelling "ifchia"), the first edition of which was published in 1731. He allegedly claimed that several fig varieties he brought to England were from the Italian island Ischia although some say he may have lost or destroyed the original labels on some Italian figs and simply named them after different islands. Regardless, the Ischia figs have been popular in Europe for centuries and are still grown today.
Why We Grow It: Ischia has greenish-yellow skin which makes it less appealing to birds while on the tree! Despite its rather unassuming exterior, these figs contain vibrant red flesh with an excellent, rich flavour - try peeling it and adding it to all manner of salads! It is known to be a very productive variety and due to its compact growth it is ideal for container growing.
History: Texas Everbearing figs were likely developed in Texas in the 1950s although there are little details available regarding their origin. It is most likely named for its two sizable crops and state of origin.
Why We Grow It: Texas Everbearing produces large, brownish-yellow, bell-shaped figs with sweet seedless flesh the colour of strawberries. This is a good option for cooler areas, it tends to produce well even in a cooler, shorter summer and it is said to fruit again the same year it is frozen to the ground. It produces two crops, a sizable first crop and larger breba crop that matures early.
History: One of Thomas Jefferson's favourites, the origin of this fig is a mystery; one old account claims it was planted during the rule of Henry the Eighth by Cardinal Pole, while another claims it was planted at the Archbishop of Canterbury's palace at Lambeth. Regardless, this fig has certainly stood the test of time, and with good reason!
Why We Grow It: White Marseilles produces small, green-white figs with excellent aromatic flavour and a firm yet melting texture. Delicious! This variety grows well in a container too.
Photo courtesy of figdatabase.com