Hi I am new to growing figs.  Can anyone suggest me good varities to grow in toledo, ohio?  Also maybe some cuttings i could possibly get that i can root i could pay shipping.  I would like a variety.  From other posts I read that Chicago hardy, celeste, violette de bordeux are really good ones, opinions?  Do each different variety have a large difference in flavor?

Toledo.. LOL!  Reminds me of Mash, Klinger!  Toledo!  OK.  This is not the time to ask for cuttings, because everything has been pruned.  But Hardy Chicago, Ronde de Bordeaux, and Violette de Bordeaux are good choices.  Desert King might be a good one too.  Hey!  You are lucky!  Go to the UC Davis website, figure out which ones grow in your zone, place an order (free, but you pay shipping), and next year you will have a lot of cuttings to root. 

Suzi

I have a Red Greek (Callipoe's) that's been growing in ground for 80 years north of Detroit It has figs every year I've been told by my father.

Do they have distinct flavors? Yes. In addition, the green figs and yellow figs are sweeter and syrupier (if that's a word) than the dark, which have a thicker, richer flavor, especially when allowed to shrivel on the tree. I am in Mansfield and others on the forum are in Columbus, Cleveland and Strongsville. Rafed is in Detroit. Some members are in Ontario and upstate New York. Everyone will tell you it is possible to grow all sorts in pots and carry them over the winter in unheated garages. I am growing Troiano Calabrese, Salce, Stella, Violet de Bordeaux, Hollier, Italian 88,  Longue d'Aout, Vista, Sal's EL, Italian Honey, Chiapetta, Flanders, Desert King and Green Ischia as a sampling of what is possible.