I recently spent a weekend in NYC to tour colleges with my daughter.  A friend was kind enough to let us stay at their house in Brooklyn while they were traveling.  I would like to give them a gift - you guessed it - a fig tree!  It turns out that they already have one fig in their backyard (in-ground) but he said it has only fruited once in 5 years.  It's a green fig and seems to be healthy and well established.  It appears that the backyard does not get lots of sun - probably no more than 4-5 hours per day so this could be the problem. 

So my question is what variety would do the best planted in the ground at that location (ideally with little or no protection).  He's most interested in a dark fig.  I was thinking Marseilles vs Black, Sal'sEL, Malta Black or Ronde de Bordeaux as productive, cold-hardy varieties that do well in sun-limited conditions.  Do you agree?  Or there others to consider?

Florea seems to be one that is talked about a lot up there.

Meghan, I don't have that one in my collection so it would be less convenient but thanks for the suggestion.  It probably would be a good choice.

My hardy chicago don't get a lot of sun and it was loaded. I planted another one in a full sun location to compair the two but that was just this year.

Yes....what Garden Whisper said.

"Hardy Chicago"....aka: "BENSONHURST PURPLE"   Easily available, and, reasonably priced.  Obviously, the less common name, has a Brooklyn connection, and may appeal to your friends, who live in Brooklyn.

I think the limiting factor in this situation is the amount of sun that the tree...any variety of tree...will get.  Brooklyn is also probably in climate zone 7a/b, and the "HC" will probably survive NYC winters without protection.  It also ripens figs earlier in the season than some of the varieties that you mentioned in your posting.  'HC" can be found/bought, usually, FMV-free!

I'm sure some other varieties will work, but at least "HC" will give them some of the best tasting, dark, figs that can be grown.

Good luck.  Nice idea for a appreciation gift.  Literally, a gift that keeps on giving.


Frank

EDIT:  Try mentioning to your friends that the fig tree growing in their backyard will probably need top-dressing with granular limestone, needs fertilizing, and they should try pinching out the terminal buds to induce earlier fruiting.  Perhaps the poor fruiting characteristics that they are experiencing with their grounded tree, is due to neglected cultural practices.

I have this exact problem, in an earlier post Herman recommended 3 fig varieties for limited sun, RdB, Improved Celeste and Malta Black, so I agree 100% with your conclusions.

Thanks for your comments.  Frank, it so happens that I don't have HC in my collection either, believe it or not.  However, I was thinking that SalsEL (which is supposed to be nearly indistinguishable from HC) would give similar results.  I decided a while back that since I have the SalsEL that getting a HC would be redundant given space limitations. But if you and others think that HC is superior to Sal'sEL for this location then I will look into getting one.  I mentioned Malta Black and RdB because I seem to remember Herman mentioning somewhere on the forum that these two are still productive with limited sun.  Dave (above) and others have referenced Mt. Etna figs doing well with limited sun as well.

I live in Brooklyn, but new to Fig, My first year growing Figs,after reading about Marseilles vs Black, How cold Hardy it is, Herman speak glowingly about it, how cold hardy it is.so I planted it in Ground, I also Planted a Black Bethlehem if it grew unprotected in Zone 6 (Bethlehem,
PA), than Zone 7 no problem to it. Only time will tell, check with me next spring, I also read that RDB will do good here in Brooklyn, it can Handle zone 7.
I am considering planting it.
what area in Brooklyn you visited.
Mark

Oh and yes, Marseilles Black VS is also a great choice for limited sun!

Lebmark, they live in a residential neighborhood just south of Prospect Park.  I had never been to Brooklyn before and I was impressed with how nice that part of Brooklyn is.

Rafaelissimmo, thanks for the confirmation about MvsB.  That also helps me decide where to plant it in my own yard.  It looks like I have several good choices so it may come down to which tree has the most convenient branch for airlayering next spring.

Rewton:

I would go with the varieties that herman2 suggested.  I mentioned "HC" because it's easy to find, and has a proven track record.  Also, I have no experiences growing the other varieties that you mentioned, so can't comment.

My guess would be the sun, or, lack of enough sun, would be the problem, not the variety that's grown.  But, some have suggested certain varieties for the limited sun conditions.  Go with those.


Frank

Ronde and or Hardy Chicago then do your friend a big favor and get that green fig outta that yard .

"Ronde and or Hardy Chicago then do your friend a big favor and get that green fig outta that yard."

LOL, I did make rather subtle suggestion to that effect but I doubt if I convinced him.  When I bring the new tree to him we'll have another discussion about that because the new tree would probably do better in that space if the old one was gone.

Rewton, yes Prospect Park south is very nice and expansive, I use to work in Park Slope which is near by...any way do not start him with an RDB then he thinks that all figs taste that good...
Good Luck
Mark

Maybe you could graft all of Martin's favorite dark varieties onto that green fig. :)

Harvey - good idea - if only I lived closer it would be and interesting project!

Hi! Steve.

How big is his backyard? If it is big enough, ask him if he likes you to plant both Ronde de Bordeaux and the Hardy Chicago there. He will Happy with these 2 varieties. Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tam

It's not particularly big - the property is maybe 0.15-0.20 acres total.  But yes, pretty much all of us here on the forum would subscribe to the notion that the more figs, the better :)

Hey Steve

How soon are you looking to acquire a HC, if that's what you decide on? I have a few air-layers going now that I'll be removing in a few weeks. I also have a few others that I started last winter which are now nice looking plants. Could also get you cuttings quickly if you'd like. Let me know! Regards

Thanks Mark - that's a great offer!  I'll think about it and let you know.  There's no rush since they would probably not want to put it in the ground until Spring.