A friend gave me a start of a fig tree/bush. I do not know the variety. I'm in zone 8a. I've heard we are supposed to grow closed eye figs, but don't know exactly what that means. Also, he gave me some of the figs and they weren't very tasty/sweet. I have it planted in a pot in a flower bed for holding over until the spring. It put on some figs this summer, but of course, they didn't ripen. I only want one fig. So, would this be a good one, or should I get a locally recommended variety?

We have alkaline soil and water.

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others more local to you might know what variety it is.
but in any case, the fig you have pictured looks pretty unripe to me.
and so would not have much of a taste to it.

The fig in your picture (the one cut in half) isn't ripe.  That variety might be a lot sweeter when ripe.  (I don't know what variety it is).

Mike   central NY state, zone 5a

Yes, I was aware this one was unripe. It set in the middle of the summer and did not have time to ripen. I thought it might provide clues as to the type. The friend is special and I would like to keep it if it is a viable variety in my area. However, I don't know anyone who grows figs here, except the one friend and he only has this one.

He gave me some figs from his bush/tree in the summer and they had little taste. I don't if they were properly ripe or overly ripe or not properly fertilized - or they just taste like that. It's just something I know nothing about. Not only have I not grown figs, all my fig knowledge has come from a Nabisco cookie.

bk
North Texas zone 8a

Only one fig. That will change.

Green ischia looks like to me.

I can't go too nuts with figs. I have a city lot.

The "best" nursery in town has Brown Turkey, Texas Everbearing, LSU Purple, Black Italian, Mission and Celeste.

I grow Hosta, and they only have the oldest varieties of hosta. Those hosta do well here, but their selection never changes. None of the varieties they carry are newer than the 80's. I wonder if their fig selection is the same.

bk

Playing with figs, you'll catch the fever and start growing them potted just to have more kinds. Its a sickness, but one we enjoy. It comes on suddenly without warning. It won't take long and you will be rooting a couple the next year trading cuttings for somthing else and bam one day 20 or more trees. City lot or not. I grew a bunch of stuff. Now mainly figs. And many others are like that. Not trying to scare you off. Just somthing magical about figs.

That's what got me 60 hosta.

bk

I agree with Garden whisperer...it just hits you and figs make so much sense. Haven't really been able to put a finger on it yet as to why the fever hits so hard but I'll get there. I have lots of other kinds of fruit too but when spring arrives I will have more figs than anything else.

Young Fig trees/bushes produce pretty bland fruit when they first start setting fruit. It takes couple of years of setting fruit before they start to really have a lot of flavor so have patience.  Closed eye means that the fruit is not open at the bottom enough for insects to crawl in and spoil the fruit. Closed eye, solids or eyes sealed with a drop of honey or resin are the best types to grow if you live in a very humid or rainy area.  Fig trees can take as much room or as little room as you wish them to have and your landscaping permits.  You can grow them as bushes or as trees and with other plants occupying the space underneath the canopy.  Some people espalier them along a wall. If you really enjoy the flavor of fresh figs, you may be surprised at how many corners to you find in your yard to tuck in a plant or two.  If you do decide to add a second (or third) plant at some point, pick a variety that ripens earlier in the season or belongs to a different flavor family.  Figs are a bit like wines, almost infinite flavors and colors. If it is a green ischia, it should do well in zone 8.  I am in zone 7b and other members are growing them in my zone.

It can take some trees a few years to produce really good figs. You may just have to wait it out and let the tree produce and ripen some figs.

Verte/green Ischia  Down here it is a late ripening fig.