NE - Figs by Regions

This may be the heirloom fig Amato, sometimes incorrectly Amata, that was imported by Amato Tassa from Italy during his immigration from Italy. An article was written about his Mr. Tassa's 25' high fig tree in Washington, D.C. in the October 8, 1910 issue of the Washington Times as fresh ripened figs seem to be almost unknown from that area at that time. In Dr. Ira Condit's Figs: a Monograph he lists this variety as Royal with the synonyms: Obispo, Trojano di Napoli, Tassa Brown, and Geraci Black and suggests that it was imported several times and was given a variety of names. Dr. Condit states that it produces both a fair breba crop and a decent primary crop of medium to large, black, violet, to green, turbinate, or flattened and with little or no neck, with a modereately rich, sweet flavor and an amber to strawberry flesh. It has a medium to large eye and so may be best suited to drier climates. Amato's cold hardiness, as proven by its ability to apparently thrive and produce in the Washington, D.C. area, should make this a good fig to try in more northerly latitudes. These were kindly shared with us by Christine Jones. Item# 11450

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. 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. 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. Item# 9546.

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. Item# 12727

A cold hardy, productive fig producing medium-small, dark black to purple, pear shaped figs with a rich sweet, strawberry-like flavor and a dark red-purple flesh and an open eye. Valle Negra Fig, which translates to dark valley, is a vigorous and reliably cold hardy fig selected from a tree in the Alps of Italy in the central portion of the Camonica Valley (Val or Valle Camonica). It was discovered and introduced by an Italian botanist who was, and maybe still is, reportedly in search of good quality cold hardy figs and it appears Sergio hit the jackpot with this one. It is considered by some to be one of the better figs for the Northeastern US. 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. Item# 12923