Hello, I am new to this forum - love everyone's input.

I live in N. AL in zone 7.    I know if you live in zone 9 or greater, places such as Florida, California or south Texas you can almost grow any type of fig, but is there a huge selection difference for someone living in zone 7 than in zone 5?  I understand that zone 5 might need more winter protection than in zone 7 but do I, living in zone 7 have pretty much the same selection as people who live in zone 5?  At my local big box garden center such as Lowes and Home Depot, I only find hardy Chicago, Celeste, and Brown Turkey.  With these few selection, I am curious if I can only grow the few hardy type figs as suggested in zone 5.  Is this true?  Thanks in advanced.

Boomer 

I grow figs in zone 7 and zone 13. Both are hard task but on the other end :D

You are much better off than zone 5. 
Your last/1st frost dates are much better and you don't have the -30-35C lows to deal with. 
So you will have a much easier time of growing figs in ground. 
Of course in containers you can grow any common type variety.  You may need to get a little creative to extend the season.

Here is a topic on figs for cold climates any of the figs in the table will grow in your zone.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/favourite-in-ground-figs-for-cold-climates-7892590?pid=1291666108

Thank you for replying! 

If I read that a fig will grow in zone 7, does this mean I do not have winterize it?  Will it live in my zone if I plant it in the ground and do nothing.  I understand that I could have some years colder than normal  that might kill it but if the temperature stay in the zone 7 low min temp, will it survive in the ground without any effort to protect it. 

I have seen some fig trees get 3 to 4 inches thick in my area and a few hours south of us.  These fig trees are massive and probably 10 years or older. 

We planted a fig (unknown variety), 4 winters ago.   It was never protected. The first three winters it killed the fig down to the roots.  We actually thought it was dead but it came back each spring.  This past year when it came back up the stems were thicker and it grew much taller, but we still failed to get any fruits.  This past year we had a mild winter and so far it is alive above the roots (3 feet high).  I am guessing the stems are about an inch in diameter at the base.  I am hoping to get some fruits for the first time this year.  I have 3 other known varieties and about 3 unknown that I have obtained locally from cuttings.  I will plant them all in about a month.  Since they are all small, I am planning on protecting them the next two winters.