I envy those with so much experience about the very best of fig culture.I have been a member for a little less than a year now and honestly more confuse about the varieties of figs.
I have limited space for that many tree's i would like to grow including water for them. My question is this, i have a short list of figs that i like to grow.
I am in zone 6b and like to grow them in the ground with limited winter protection like bending and covering with leaves.
Here are my choices: Gino,kathleen black, smith, violet de Bordeaux, improved Celeste and Atreano.
Can somebody help me with just 3 kinds with no 1 the best as far as ease of growing and taste.
I will be very greatfull for your expertese.Thank you,Bob.

I''m thinking that Smith, Kathleens Black and maybe Improved Celeste are not cold hardy enough for zone 6B unless grown in pots and protected in a garage for the winter. I don't know anything about Gino, VDB would need some decent protection or a good spot close to the house, south siide or maybe west. I believe Atreano is ok for hardiness, but have not tried it yet. Better choices for your zone might be Sal's Corlenone, White Marseilles, Latarollla (sp) There are others for sure, but I cant think of them at the moment or the names are not known to me.    

I agree but would add that a good way to promote hardiness is to leave in pot for a few years. Build up the hardiness of  a tree ( younger are weaker). I plan to do this and try to plant in ground in a few years. But I would say, from everything I have read, those are good choices to attempt.

I like BLB's recommendation, but for me in zone 7 atreano is no problem in the ground hardiness wise but for me is an inferior tasting variety.  I would say for black figs  sals and  gino's.   Latarolla (for a white fig).  I have atreano and latarolla and for me there is no comparison as far as taste.  Latarolla is way better and almost as cold hardy. 

Not much information is available on the Smith fig growing outside of Louisiana. FYI, I have never seen any die back whatsoever on my tree. That is a good sign for its possible cold hardiness in other areas. The die back on my tree comes from those pesky hurrincanes that vist us every once in a while.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Thank you guys for your input. I feel kind of helpless when i read all these large collection because there is just no way i am of any help to the forum with my meager collection that every body already have years ago. Beeing in the wrong zone don't help matters.
I obtain figtree's from a forum member a few weeks ago and gave them the utmost care. This person in question is a long time fig grower and ofcoarse very good of what he is doing.He is the best and very pleasant too.Sometimes i get lucky but not often.