SE - Figs by Regions

Brown Turkey is the ultimate Southern fig producing large crops of medium to large, brown to maroon, turbinate figs over a long season that begins in June. The flesh is strawberry red and is sweet with good flavor. The Texas Everbearing fig is also known as Brown Turkey fig.  This is probably the most reliable and commonly grown fig in Southern regions but it is the standard bearer for hardiness tolerating the climate of zone 5. It is known to fruit if frozen to the ground as well. Resistant to spoiling and splitting and good fresh, dried, or preserved. Self pollinating and with a small but open eye. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 920.

Celeste is the standard by which all other figs are judged on sweetness and flavor. If you've ever eaten one you know why it is also called the Honey or Sugar fig. It produces small to medium sized pear shaped violet to light violet fruit with red pulp and white to amber flesh. Very reliable for the South and Southeastern US and excellent cold tolerance. Small productive and hardy trees for the home orchard. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 355

Chicago Hardy produces large crops of medium to small nearly black to brown or violet, pear shaped to turbinate figs with amber to strawberry flesh with a rich sweet flavor. Very similar to Brown Turkey. The eye is small minimizing spoilage. Hardy Chicago was found growing in the Chicago, Illinois area although it may have originated in Sicily, Italy. It has exceptional cold hardiness and is known to fruit in the same season even if frozen to the ground. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 9546.

This is a large to very large purple fig with good flavor. An heirloom fig that was brought to the US from Italy via Dr. Sam Monticello's grandmother. The soon to be Mrs. Decarlo was a 16 years old bride and on her way to meet her new husband. She wrapped the cuttings in newspaper to get them here as she traveled to the new world aboard ship. Dr. Monticello, a Lake Charles Master Gardener and retired physician, says that they have been grown in this area from the time his grandmother arrived here as well as in Kansas where part of their family migrated to. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing.

Florea is an early ripening type said to be  a cold hardy fig,  a great choice for colder climates with short seasons. It is a brown to purple fig with an amber interior. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 12691

With honey sweet amber flesh and a lightly tart yellow green outer skin the Blanche Fig (its original name according to Dr. Ira Condit) has long been a favorite for fresh eating or drying. A vigorous fig that produces even in areas with short growing seasons it is known to produce two good crops where summers are longer. In the Southern US it is known as the Lemon Fig and is popular in the Northwest and California for home orchards where it is known as White Marseille or Lattarula. A compact tree which can be adapted for container production. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Images courtesy of Agristarts, Inc. Item# 11023

Kadota produces heavy crops of medium sized flattened green figs that ripen to a yellow green color. The fruit has white flesh and an amber pulp with small seeds and excellent to fair flavor. Good for fresh eating and drying and LSU says it is an excellent choice for preserves. The open eye is filled with honeydew which prevents souring. Kadota ripens in mid season and is considered to be the most widely grown commercial cultivar in California. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 9501

An impressively cold hardy fig producing medium-sized amber, brown to near burgundy colored fruit with rich sweet amber flesh. Letizia Fig is sometimes compared to Chicago Hardy with which it shares exceptional hardiness into zone 6 but the fruit may be slightly smaller. It is also known to produce a breba or early crop along with the typical main fruit crop. This is an heirloom Italian fig that was brought from the Marche region of Italy in the early 1900's by the family of Steve and Peg Castorani and was named in honor of Steve's mother Letizia. Steve's family has grown and fruited this plant in Hockessin, Delaware since about 1965 and Steve brought cuttings to their North Creek Nursery near Landenberg, Pennsylvania where it apparently has done well in a semi-protected 'hot garden'. Burpee suggested that they name it and propagate and it quickly sold out. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a well-drained, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and fruit production. Protect young trees for the first few years especially in zones 8A and colder while they become established. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 12727

The rich, sweet acidic flavor of Negronne is delectable and nearly unmistakable. It produces small to medium sized, dark purplish black, pear shaped to turbinate figs with a deep red pulp and amber flesh. The small eye is closed making it resistant to spoiling and splitting. The ripe fruit is superb fresh but can be dried or preserved as well. Negronne may produce a breba crop in mild climates and is an excellent choice for all fig growing regions with excellent cold hardiness. The dwarf habit makes it a good choice for container culture as well. Item# 9906

The Smith Fig is an heirloom Louisiana variety that was introduced by Becnel Nursery near New Orleans, Louisiana. It produces large yellow fruit with a sweet red flesh. A drop of honeydew exudes from the eye which minimizes spoiling and makes Becnel's Smith Fig a choice variety for southeastern gardens. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Image courtesy of F. Carter. Item# 9910.