I also bought one of these infamous "Magnolia" fig trees in November of 2010. I also live in Tallahassee. The tree was re-potted and is now 6 feet tall and figless.

Does anyone know what the fig pictured on the tag really is?

The main reason I took a chance on it was because of the picture.

Last year, my wife and I were in Sorrento Italy and came across these beautiful large dark flat-faced figs in a grocery store. They were not fully ripe and therefore didn't have much of a taste but the unique shape, coloring and size of the fig got me to want to grow my very own tree.

What a disappointment if it turns out to be  Brown Turkey or Celeste wanna-be !

Hey FMD, welcome to the forum!!

See:  http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=5090983

It is just my opinion that the fig pictured on the tag would be Violette Soleis (or one of its two dozen synonyms).  I seriously doubt that is what you actually bought - it may actually be Magnolia as indicated, but the fig pictured on the tag is DEFINITELY not Magnolia!

Thank you sattellitehead for the references.

Trying to figure out fig names and origins is like trying to herd a litter of kittens. None of the pictures or descriptions I looked at resemble the fig I saw in Sorrento.

Here's how I would describe it:

If one took a black jack or negronne fig and  sat on it, you would have the Sorrento fig. I would estimate the circumference to be 2-3 times the height of the fig.

Some years ago, on two different occasions, once a bought a Brown Turkey and later a Black Mission, from Loews. They tuned out to be Brown Turkey, the two of them!
Sal

A couple of years ago I was looking for Mysore raspberries and one day while in Lowes there they were.  The only problem is the tag showed a inch long scarlet red raspberry and Mysore fruit is small, button shaped and black.   I took the plant home anyway as it looked right and when it fruited it was a mysore with the nice black fruit.  I decided to email corporate Lowes to let them know of their mistake.  They assured me they had on staff botanical experts and all plant tags are reviewed blah blah blah.  After a few emails back and forth with their "expert" he finally admitted the picture on the fruit was wrong and they would correct it.  

Fast forward a year......


I am back in lowes and what do I see the Mysores with the new tag.  This time it shows the fruit as button shaped and the right size but still a bright red fruit instead of black.....  They either don't care or they just use whatever picture the marketing department feels will sell the most plants.  How this isn't false advertising is beyond me.  

I am amazed at the constant complaints we have about mislabeled nursery stock. The annual inspections my family's greenhouses go through each year are non trivial in terms of checking for tags and patented stock, but I guess they do not check the accuracy of the actual plant nor do the college students who come as inspectors have enough background to know. I do have a collection like many here of UNK - inknowns usually gathered from trades from others, but with the understanding that the figs is good.  I like the idea of chasing ones that have unique stem color and or leaves, thats what I look for and what catches my eyes when seeing one in a yard

I think the problem is the labeling might be right, but the marketers pick out a "more appealing" image, which confuses consumers who do their homework. Is it deceptive? I think so. People that want a particular variety are frustrated by it and people that didn't know and purchased it become confused when it performs but doesn't match the tag. So retailers do no favors by allowing this.

In a separate note, I can see how inexperienced workers can help confuse things.

Hello all,

I've been registered for a while, but this is my first forum post. Does anyone have an updates on the performance or identity of these 'Magnolia'-labelled trees from Lowes? My local store (Mobile, AL area) has continued offering them at $10, but I've been hesitant to buy one without knowing more about them.

I've noticed the same problem of mismatched label images with tropical hibiscus. They rarely match the picture, and I never buy one on a day it isn't flowering for that reason.

Daniel

Hi Daniel - nice to see a new post-er to the forum!  I purchased my first tree last winter from a small local chain garden center - it was mislabeled also!    I don't blame the retailer and maybe not even the wholesaler growing for the retailer.  The wholesaler is most likely buying small trees in bulk to let them grow and then sell to the retailer. 

This is slightly OT, but I bought Elberta peach tree from Lowes and fast forward three years it turned out to be a white nectarine. I knew I had been hornswoggled when I saw the first blossoms. It's an OK tree, but not what I wanted. I have purchased three peach trees from them over the years, two were true to name.

Thanks for the welcome Jo-Ann :)

I was at Lowes again earlier this week, and found the same plants were still there. They were marked down to $8 from the earlier $10, but what really caught my eye was fruit--2 breba figs. They currently have about 2 inches of fresh growth on the ends of the branches, but the figs are clearly located on older wood, probably produced last fall. I've course I had to buy it, so now I'm waiting for my figs to ripen.

I don't get any break. Not even BT at our Lowes or HD.

I just bought one at lowes, same tag.  Anyone have updates on this tree?

Of the 2 brebas I mentioned earlier, one fell off while still green. The second became slightly purple, soft, and appeared ripe. However, it was tasteless and had a spongy interior very similar to an eggplant. The good thing it has started producing main-season figs.

thanks.  Keep us updated!

After 3 years planted  in ground my Lowes labelled Magnolia is finally putting out. It is a massive tree. Let's hope the figs are massively good tasting.

Those look like Brunswick leaves.

Today, I have 4 Magnolia fig trees. I like the dark bronze purplish color. I don't think Magnolia is the same tree as Brunswick. I think it has the same characteristic as Brunswick. The leaf patterns on my 4 trees look exactly like Rafed's picture. Brunswick leaves are very distinct and unique.