I'm looking for 3 figs for a gift to a friend who lives in 8b-9a.

 I am looking at a couple different choices,but most reviews don't state whether a fig is early or late.I would like to ask if anyone can tell me whether the following are early or late,as I really would like to have early and late varieties to extend his season.

Strawberry Verte.

Marseilles Black VS

Takoma Violet

Violette de Bourdeaux  If anyone could explain to me the difference between DD's and UCD? (UCD being University of California at Davis I am guessing) but the DD?and which is better if there is a difference.

Ronde de Bourdeaux

If the 4 blacks are all late season..which would you get? As always,I am open to suggestions.These are for a very good friend,and I really want to give him some good varieties....(so long as they are available via:   http://www.figcuttings.com/p/fig-trees-for-sale.html )

Thanks.

Ted

Ted,

VdB: main crop ripens around August here and keeps going well into fall, so mid season for me.  I have UCD and it is quite infected with FMV but still grows ok, I have others from other sources that grow better, notably, Vista which is a superior grower.  DD, I don't know, first I have heard about it. All my VdB figs properly ripened during warm months are delicious.  I can't recommend this fig enough here, where we have long hot summers and very little rain til October.

RdB: Robust grower, is considered early ripening, this will be my first year with figs from it.

MBVS: Another great grower, figs start ripening early, I want to say Julyish.  My young tree's fruit were good, but not really note worthy.

Takoma Violet: Moderate grower, Flavor from first year trees was good but not wow.  Early ripening, Julyish.

Strawberry Verte: I don't have.  I think it ripens in August here.

Strawberry verte is very resistant to splitting in humid weather, if that is not a relevant consideration then forget it. For me in my zone, its a keeper.

Thanks Don for the helpful information.I don't think I could go wrong with the VDB and RDB except that they are smallish side.The MBVS was one I was really considering as well.Maybe the fruit from yours isn't up to par because of it's age.?.I really wanted something on the early side,and then something later,so the de Bourdeaux's will probably fit the bill.

I'll also order him a Desert King so he has an early green fig,and that should give him a decent sampling.

Thank you rafaelissimmo for the info on the Strawberry verte.I was wavering a bit on the Desert King,so maybe I should just stick with it.

Thanks!

Ted