Alex,

Most figs do not need a pollinator. The few that do can only be pollinated by the fig wasp, not by bees. The fig wasp is only found in California. So if you're looking for a fruit tree that produces flowers for your bees, than the fig is not a good choice. But if you are looking for a delicious and productive fruit tree than the fig is a very good choice.

The variety that would be best for you depends on the part of the country that you live in. In general, people in the Northeast like to grow Sal's, Hardy Chicago, and Marseilles VS. In the Southeast they like Celeste a lot. In the Southwest they like Mission. In the Northwest they like Desert King. That is just a very, very broad summary, but it should be a good starting point. You can do a lot of research online to find out more about varieties.

Joe

Well I want to grow figs to eat but I thought maybe my bees could pollinate them. I live in central South Carolina. So what type of fig would be good here? Thanks!

-Alex

Fig sex lesson 101...

Here is a link that might be useful: The Weird Sex Life of the Fig

What do Southern fig growers think?

Joe

From what you have described, a Violette De Bordeaux, Negronne, Beer's Black, or Petite Negri tree would do well for you either in the ground or in pot culture. These are all pretty close in in tree size (small), fruit taste and quality. All are very good similar or identical figs.

Unfortunately, no fig trees (both male and female)would have pollen for your bees.

Dan

Where are some good websites to order these fig trees from? Thanks! -Alex

Alex,

Check out the link below. It is an old posting that discusses where to get Violette de Bordeaux.

Good luck.

Joe

Here is a link that might be useful: Violette de Bordeaux Fig

Here is a list of recommended nurseries from the Figs4Fun.com list; I removed the closed nurseries (belleclare, etc.) and found all but two websites.

At some, you will need to click on Fruit Trees->"Other" to get to figs. The way that some online sites classify figs is strange, as though they're a novelty rather than an actual fruit.

Anyway, here is a clickable list with hyperlinked URL to each nursery. It does not include some of our fig friends that sell figs at their websites, these are basically all commercial nurseries.

RECOMMENDED NURSERY LIST
=========================

Bay Laurel -- http://www.baylaurelnursery.com/

Burnt Ridge -- http://www.burntridgenursery.com/

Clifton's -- http://cliftonsnursery.net/

Cloud Mountain -- http://www.cloudmountainfarm.com/

Dave Wilson -- http://www.davewilson.com/

Dinter (Canada!) -- http://www.dinternursery.ca/

Edible Landscaping -- http://www.eat-it.com/

Encanto Farms Nursery -- http://encantofarms.com/

Fannick's -- http://www.fanicknursery.com/

Grimo Nut -- http://www.grimonut.com/

Hidden Springs -- http://www.hiddenspringsnursery.com/

Italian Fig Trees -- http://www.figtrees.net/

Johnson -- http://www.johnsonnursery.com/

Just Fruits and Exotics (no shipping to California) -- http://www.justfruitsandexotics.com/

La Verne -- http://www.lavernenursery.com/

One Green World -- http://www.onegreenworld.com/

Parks -- ??

Perry's (Australia!) -- http://www.perrysfruitnursery.com.au/

Raintree -- http://www.raintreenursery.com/

Rolling River -- http://www.rollingrivernursery.com/

Sanhedrin -- http://www.sanhedrinnursery.com/

Territorial Seed -- http://www.territorialseed.com/

Wentworth -- ??

Whitman Farms -- http://www.whitmanfarms.com/

Aren't Violette De Bordeaux, Negronne, Beer's Black, or Petite Negri tree also called Black Mission Trees? Thanks!

-Alex

That is not correct.

Link to a variety database is below. Don't lend a lot of weight to the "synonyms" for each variety, a lot of times they are not accurate, just something someone thought was correct in a book or paper over the years.

You can usually look at pics of a synonym variety when available and see that they are indeed different.

I agree with all suggestions above and would add these to your list as well:

Sal's
Ventura
Vernino
Verte
Conadria
Smith
Flanders

If you purchase on eBay, avoid mifig4fun (aka "Zerganator666", "Zergas"), toddmorocco, the_best_guaranteed (aka "best_seeds_guaranteed")

Here are some good folks to purchase from on eBay:

http://myworld.ebay.com/johnsvmf

http://myworld.ebay.com/figsnstuff

http://myworld.ebay.com/treesofjoy

http://myworld.ebay.com/ItalyItaly

http://myworld.ebay.com/wellspring100

Here is a link that might be useful: Figs4Fun variety database

Alex,

Like Dan said above when he recommended Violette De Bordeaux, Negronne, Beer's Black, or Petite Negri: "All are very good similar or identical figs." In other words, those are probably just four different names for the same variety. Or, they may be distinct varieties that are very similar to each other. Who knows? It doesn't really matter too much.

Anyway, Violette de Bordeaux is probably the most common way that fig is referred to and it is definitely different from Black Mission. Black Mission is a much bigger tree and has different fruit characteristics.

Joe

Burnt Ridge has good prices on Violette de Bordeaux. Are they a reputable dealer? Also what size plants and pots are a size to get? And don't you need to buy two plant? Thanks! - Alex

You will be well pleased with Burnt Ridge(sent bare root) and Rolling River(sent potted). I bought from both last year and was very pleased with both. Tim

I purchased from Burnt Ridge this year and am waiting for the delivery, which they said would occur in February.

You don't need pairs of trees - this is only required in some fruits which require pollination.

I have one more question to ask which kind of tree is better to get a bareroot or potted fig tree? Thanks for your help!

-Alex

Would welcome some tip cuttings for rooting, preferably southern varieties that produce large, sweet figs.

Hi Alex, Bare root is just fine when they are dormant. You can plant potted ones anytime, if you have favorable climate. I've bought both with no problems.The only real advantage to buying potted plants is that you don't have to plant them right away and maybe less shock to the plant. Figs are very resilient and grow fast either way. Tim

Alex ,
to add to that list of places selling plants
Edible landscaping http://www.ediblelandscaping.com/
this place called Durion nursery although i have not ordered from them has lots of fig plants that seem resonable and perhaps others can chime in if they ordered from them if there reputable or not http://www.durionursery.biz/figs.htm
if your into rooting scion in late february this person has a huge collection dealing with scion and fig plants as well as figs4fun forum being the moderator

http://encantofarms.com/home.html

Hi Alex,

You'll probably be happy with whatever fig you get, most will tolerate your climate. For your bees, planting a loquat might be good since they bloom late in the fall to early winter. Mine is loaded with bees at that time when there is little else blooming.

Scott

Can anyone help me purchase a fig tree from Greece? One varity is "vasilika sika". My father was from Greece and passed away. We want to plant a fig tree from Greece in our yard in memory of him.

Thanks in advance for you help.
Christine