Basic Information regarding Figs: While many fig varieties are not suitable for the Northwest, our varieties have been chosen for their ability to ripen in our climate. Another plus for Figs – deer don’t like them!! Fig trees typically grow to a height of 10-15 feet (some will easily grow 30 feet if not pruned), but can be maintained to a lower height if pruned. Large mature trees have a yield of 20-50 lbs. per plant (or more). The two crops that are possible are the Breba (early) crop that grows on the prior year’s wood, and the Main (late) crop that grows on the current year’s wood. Due to the cooler coastal climate, the Main crop may or may not ripen. therefore, varieties that have a large Breba crop, or an early Main crop are the best for the local area. Fig trees are hardy to USDA Zone 7, making them perfect for most of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Lower Mainland. Figs are not bothered by pests or diseases in our region. Cover plants with netting if birds are a problem. Once well established fig trees are fairly drought tolerant but extended dry periods can cause leaf and fruit drop as well as early dormancy. Fig trees do best where they get at least 8 hours of direct sun per day. A deep organic mulch will help to alleviate extremes in moisture levels, as well as to reduce competition from weeds.
The figs that we grow are as follows:
Desert King, Osborne Prolific, Takoma Violet, Ronde de Bordeaux, Souadi, Vasilika Mavra, Stella, Italian Honey, “Greek Honey”, Brown Turkey, Vern’s Brown Turkey, White Marseilles, White Adriatic, White Turkish, “Vyvacious” (unknown variety).
In 2021 we will be selling Desert King, Italian Honey, “Greek Honey”, and a locally sourced Brown Turkey Fig that produces well in the Cowichan Valley. There are a limited number of other figs available, including White Marseilles, White Kitsilano, Turkish Kitsilano, Vern’s Brown Turkey, Takoma Violet, and Souadi. Figs are sold on a FCFS basis.
Desert King: We are selling locally grown Desert King Fig trees. These trees have been cloned from a locally sourced tree that produces excellent large figs. The mother plant produces 110 gram (1/4lb.) figs. The Desert King Figs are excellent for the Pacific Northwest and produce a large early-ripening Breba crop; the later main crop will ripen if the tree is planted in a very warm summer location, with figs at Cherry Point averaging 65g (1/7lb.). The figs have a green exterior with a red, jammy, syrupy interior. The figs have a closed-eye that is needed in areas that have rain in the late summer.
Italian Honey – Grant Street, Vancouver: Our Italian Honey figs have been cloned from a tree located in the Commercial Drive area of Vancouver (Little Italy). The tree was brought to Vancouver by a family from Italy. The tree is almost 60 years old and is as tall as the roof of the two-storey house. The figs are green/gold with a gold interior. The figs are very, very sweet, syrupy and have an almost jelly-like consistency. Highly recommended. The Italian Honey fig is also known as a Lattarulla. It produces a two crops; the second crop is flavour rich and sweet. This variety adapts well to container growing.
Greek Honey – Seafair, Richmond: The “Greek” Honey figs were cloned from my neighbour’s tree in Richmond. My neighbour, Manos, told me that his father brought the cutting in his suitcase when he emigrated from Greece in the mid 1960s. Although almost identical to the Italian Honey fig, Manos stressed that it is a “Greek” fig not “Italian”… Every summer I would see Manos taking buckets of these figs to family gathering. Delicious!
Osborne Prolific: Also referred to as the “Neverella” Fig. Our trees are cloned from a locally sourced tree that provides a good Breba and Main crop of figs. Osborn Prolific produces medium to large dark reddish-brown to bronze pear shaped fruit with amber to light strawberry flesh with an open eye. It has very sweet and rich flavor and is self-pollinating. It produces over a long period with both a large Breba and Main crop of figs. Osborn Prolific is considered to be particularly well suited to short summer regions. Although this variety is one of the best to grow in cool coastal climates, fig trees should have at least 8 hours of direct sun per day. We are sold out of these for 2021.
Takoma Violet: Takoma Violet is, arguably, the best Mt. Etna type in terms of productivity and flavor. It is unusual among Mt Etna types in that it also sets a good Breba crop. Main crop figs develop a violet color when properly ripened under dry conditions, taking about 80 days to ripen. Fruits are very rich and tasty, even under rainy conditions. Notable in that it will produce good fruit year after year, even in poor weather conditions. It is sometimes misspelled as “Tacoma”, which is incorrect. As of July 21, 2021 there is one available.
Ronde de Bordeaux: A small, dark blue fig with a red interior. The flavour is excellent, better than Violette de Bordeaux. Ronde de Bordeaux set a small breba crop before the large and early main crop. The main crop is one of the earliest, as early as August in the Cowichan Valley. Fruits are similar to the other famous fig from Bordeaux, Violette de Bordeaux a.k.a. Negronne, but are slightly smaller and not quite as dark in skin or flesh but with a delicious berry flavor. The fig can be syrupy. Ronde de Bordeaux has large leaves with long fingers and is a great addition to any fig collection. It grows great in containers and has produced a lot of figs for us. . This one is sure to become one of the most popular and reliable figs for cool climate growers. We are sold out of these for 2021.
Souadi: An excellent tasting Lebanese figs that originated in the small mountainous village of Lala. Figs are of medium size with beautiful dark red skin color and the pulp is translucent red. The fig takes a while to ripen from soft to fully ripe; however, this is not a problem as Souadi figs will also dry on the tree, even in humid/wet weather. It’s also a beautiful fig, particularly when ripening. It’s stunning. If you can let it shrivel and dry a bit on the tree the berry flavors will concentrate some. Dried or two days earlier it’s very refreshing. The fig is early to mid-ripening and quite productive. It has a closed eye and is resistant to wet weather. It’s just a winner here. As of July 21, 2021, there is one available.
Vasilika Mavra: or the “Royal Black Greek Fig” is said to be the best tasting of the Greek figs. It is widely grown in Greece. The outside is very dark purple to black and the inside is red.
Our experience has been after a couple of years of growing this variety is that Vasilika Mavra produces very nice dark purple figs. The size, depth of color and number have grown year over year for us. The fig is berry and honey flavored, thick and jammy, with a crunch from the seeds. Absolutely delicious. We are sold out of these for 2021.
Stella: An outstanding large, green, honey fig that is cold resistant. The Stella fig produces large elongated, pear-shaped fruit with deep purplish-red sweet flesh and yellow/green skin. Considered by many to be an excellent variety for cooler climates where it is a reliable producer. The story goes that this fig was brought to the US by an Italian sailor for his wife, Stella. This fig was at one point was considered lost but was recently rediscovered in Portland, Oregon. Many consider Stella or Cordi to be the same as Adriatic due to their strong similarities. We are sold out of these for 2021.
Brown Turkey: Our Brown Turkey (Pucket’s) is cloned from a close neighbour how has had great success with the mother tree. The tree is very productive, providing quantities of medium to large dark figs with pink syrupy interiors. The Brown Turkey figs have a small Breba crop, and a large, late-ripening Main crop. The figs require ample heat for the Main crop to ripen, unless the tree has a very sunny, sheltered location. The neighbour’s property is further from the ocean and is much warmer than Cherry Point, with greater protection from the prevailing winds. This variety would do well in Duncan, Nanaimo, Glenora, Lake Cowichan, and other warm locations away from the direct influences of the cool ocean breezes. The unripened figs make excellent jams and chutneys.
Vern’s Brown Turkey: A good quality, large brown fig. To distinguish this variety from less reliable varieties also called Brown Turkey, is was naimed after the garden writer Vern Nelson. Vern’s Brown Turkey has proven itself a reliable and productive variety in the Northwest. It bears large, sweet and flavorful, dark brown figs with light amber flesh, often producing two crops a year. This variety is ripens earlier and requires less heat than the Brown Turkey. As of July 21, 2021, there is one available.
White Marseilles: Introduced to the United States by Thomas Jefferson, the ‘White Marseilles’ Fig tree was one of his favorites and he is quoted as saying “it is unquestionably superior to any fig I have ever seen.” Originally from southern France, ‘White Marseilles’ is a mid-season fig plant that produces its crop towards the end of July. The short-necked, delicately sweet fruit is greenish-yellow with a pale yellow inner flesh. Hardy in zones 6-9, ‘White Marseilles’ is an excellent fig for northern gardeners.
White Adriatic: Ripening in late July, this commonly grown fig in Victoria and Vancouver, B.C. has green skin with strawberry flesh. The fig is delicious fresh and good for drying. The White Adriatic is an older cultivar that produces a large, sweet, rich, green yellow, very fine flavor fig. There are two crops annually. This fig was originally from Italy. We are sold out of these for 2021.
Cherry Point Palms & Nursery 