Ficus carica: Fig Tree

Although originating from the Middle East, Figs  have been grown in Britain since Roman times. It is important to select the few varieties that are hardy enough for outdoor cultivation on warm walls.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). 
 

When grown outdoors in Britain only one crop is usually obtained, though in exceptionally hot years two crops are sometimes produced.
 

Varieties

 'Brown Turkey' is the most popular variety for indoor or outdoor cropping in Britain.

  It is a  regular cropper with lots of fruit.The skin is purple-red with sweet red flesh.

 'Brunswick' ripens earlier than 'Brown Turkey' with good flavour but the crop is light.

 'White Marseilles' is pear-shaped with white flesh and a good flavour.

 'Black Ischia' produces small round fruit with purple skin and deep red, well-flavoured flesh.

 'White Ischia' is a dwarf cultivar (though it can still be 5 metres tall and wide) and is ideal for pot culture.   It produces an abundance of green-white thin-skinned fruits