Does anyone have an idea of what fig would be a good substitute for a cold zone 6, for growing out side to take the place of Black Madeira???? Robert

Do you mean  inground or in a pot in your area?

For in ground growing with/without winter protection. I should also add it it should also taste good. Thanks Robert

Robert , you should also it it should taste good, well when you state to replace Black Maderia that is hard for i hear Black Maderia is one of the best tasting figs .
Lots of members here from your area but i would say what would grow well is Sals, Marsellies VS, Hardy Chicago, Gino's fig, to name a few.
Im sure others while post here and also there are a few of the above on ebay now from a top notch forum member who goes by ebay name Hermansur

Robert how large is your Black Madiera? If you have a true BM, I can trade you for a 2-3foot Black Marseilles-VS. It should work in your climate.

Martin, thanks for the info. We have all the figs you mentioned except for Sal's and Gino's fig. We have Sal's coming from Herman and I will check out Gino's fig.                                                                                                                                                                                                               LosLunas Farms, thanks for the offer. But we already have 5 Black Marseilles VS.  in pots that we started from cuttings from Herman back in May. They are tow to three feet tall now.                                                                                                                                                                                                          I posted this request for a good substitute to take the place of Black Madeira after reading Jon of Encanto Farms nursery'c comment about Black Madeira being heaven. But, here in the Northeast I hear that Black Madeira can only be grown inside. But, we are searching and testing for Figs that are at least hardy enough to be grown outside with out winter protection. Like Herman we are in a zone 6. But, our zone six gets a lot colder then Herman's zone 6. Although most of the time it only drops to around 0 degress here, last winter it got down to minus 11 degrees fahrenheit. Robert

Eliz, I like the Hollier better than Bordeaux. Its productive, very sweet & nice flavour. I would rate it higher than B & it doesn't sucker like B. According to Durio Nursery Hollier won the tatste test 5 years in a roll. Our Canadian fig guru says it ripens in cooler weather which is a bonus. My tree is going in-ground  this coming spring. Good luck to your endeavours for  BM.

Robert,

Deiseler gave some good advice on varieties that work in colder climates.

Another one to consider is Barnisotte.  It is supposed to be a very high quality fig that is cold hardy, but it has a reputation for being difficult to grow.

Joe