I live in the intermediate desert of southern AZ (~5000 ft above sea level), which tends to be a pretty extreme climate with respect to summer highs and winter lows. Every summer we can count on several weeks of 100+ °F heat, which the figs love. However, we can also get a few nights during the winter where we drop into the high teens, which the figs do not like. This past winter we got down to  about 20 °F a few nights in a row and none of my trees suffered any dieback (brown turkey, Peter's honey, white kadota, VdB, and texas everbearing). I am adding several new varieties this year, and for many varieties I'm not sure they would do as well in the ground. So here is my question:

What fig varieties do you know of that are NOT cold hardy at all? What are the varieties you have had that seem to suffer extreme dieback in the 20-30 °F range?

Smith and Beall are two Figs that can not take cold weather. Beall is the worst of the 2.

Black Jack can take a little but it won't be happy. I'm in zone 8a and this past winter was completely mild! We did not have hardly any 20 degree days. All of my in ground trees and container trees are 50% leafed out now. We've had one 30 degree Night last week and another one coming on Wednesday but it's it. My garage trees have 2+ feet of growth already. I've been slowly bringing my trees out of dormanacy. I would have had them all out especially now because the rain is coming.. You should see my Texas Blue Giant! It's another tree that can't take too much cold weather.

Thanks, Dennis!

Do you have a Smith in the ground? If so, does it freeze to the ground every year?

Hi,
One that I know of is the "Sultane" . Damn tree, every year the buds dry out from frost, and the tree has to make new buds.
Of course, that makes me miss the Brebas, and that slows the tree in setting the maincrop.
Even this year, with the mild winter we had, I can see that the buds are all toasted ...

Nate,
My largest and oldest tree is Smith. I had it in the ground 5 years ago for 3 years. It did well for 2 years. Then the weather here shifted cold and it stopped growing. I dug it up 2yrs ago and today it's 7 feet tall and amazing. Today, I have 6 additional Smith trees. They are one of my favorites. But I won't put another Smith in the ground in my climate.

JDSFrance is correct about Sultane. Mine has brebas now but I have to winterize it yearly.

Any other LSU varieties to be concerned about? 

Anyone have any experience with the CdD group in zone 8?

You should also consider that ALL thin branches and young, small trees will not be as hardy as large diameter trunks of older trees.  Soft branches that haven't hardened off will also be susceptible to frost/freeze.  That's regardless of variety.  

I wouldn't worry too much from what you are saying about your location but better safe than sorry.