Plant Min Zone: 6a
Plant Max Zone: 11b
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average, High
Soil Quality: Average, Rich
Bloom Season: Insignificant
Flower Color: Insignificant
Berry / Fruit Color: Purple, Purplish Black
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: No
Scented Flowers: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: Medium
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils
Height: 3' - 5'
Width: 3' - 5'
Growth Rate: Medium, Fast
Service Life: Medium: 3-5 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Shrub Normally Winter-kills so trim to 3-6" off Ground in Winter or Early Spring: Blooms on New Wood.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Resistant to Rabbits
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Easy to Eat Edibles, Large Tropical Foliage / Flowers, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: May get Occasional Winter-kill, Needs Thick Winter Mulch, Late to Emerge or Leaf Out in Spring
The common fig (Ficus carica) is native to an area extending from Asiatic Turkey to northern India. In Kansas, plant in a protected area near the house on south or west side but will survive in other locations in full hot sun. As an edible, ornamental plant, figs are an attractive bush-like plant with sandpapery green sometimes deeply lobed leaves. There is a slight and pleasant aroma when brushing against the foliage. Fruits are dark purple to maroon. Figs love full hot sun and are very drought tolerant but will produce more fruit if watered during the summer. Expect fig tree to die to the ground each year and start growing in May a bit later than other plants. Regrowth is rapid and established figs will have dozens of 5-6' water sprouts loaded with a few hundred fruits by September. You will always get a late summer/fall crop because fruit can come from new wood. If growing as a potted patio plant, grow in full sun with plenty of water during the summer. Then in late fall before temperatures get below 20 degrees F, move into a cold garage or basement over the winter with minimal watering. Do not allow the pot with rootball to freeze solid or go below 15 degrees for more than a few hours. By March or April, the fig will be trying to grow and you may put back outside (protect from late frosts) and you will also have a spring fruit crop. Eat fresh, freeze for fruit smoothies, or dry in sun or food dehydrator. Ronde de Bordeaux fig (Ficus carica 'Ronde de Bordeaux') ripens as one of the earliest main crops of any fig (August). The fruit is small to medium with purple to purplish-black skin and reddish. Flavor is extra sweet. We are anxious to trial this variety in our display gardens in Lawrence, KS (zone 6a),(2022-2023) The allure of "early fruit" in August sounds too irresistible to pass up!