Total fig-growing newbie here...
I spent a few summers in college in Umbria, Italy, gorging on figs from trees on the side of the road... amazing. Now I would like to grow a tree in front of my house in Philadelphia PA.
The tree will be planted in-ground, protected by being right in front of our front porch, with full southern exposure. There's a very productive fig tree in my neighborhood with the exact same siting that seems to be doing very well. That tree has green/yellow figs, but my fantasy is to grow something more like what I was eating in Umbria... nice sized dark figs.
Here's my dilemma- a friend of mine drove a 90 minute trip each way to get us a young tree - but they didn't get us one of the more definitely hardy options ( Sal's or Calabrese or Hardy Chicago) - so we now have a Nero.
I'd like to avoid the trip back to the guy they bought it from. And I want to put a tree in the ground soon! So, another option I have is to get a Brown Turkey from a nursery closer by.
I know the Brown Turkey is more reliable for this region... but I have a feeling that the Nero is going to be the more "interesting" choice as far as the actual fruits.  My main question is: has anyone had luck growing the Nero in my zone/ type of climate? It used to be called zone 6b, now zone 7. (warm/hot summers w moderate-high humidity 80's-90's common, cold sometimes snowy winters, 20's-30's common)
Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks!
- Zoe.

Zoe, in my opinion, any fig is more interesting than Brown Turkey. If you have a tree in the neighborhood that does well, unprotected, I would consider asking for cuttings, and growing one of those. You will probably have an opportunity this summer to taste the figs, and determine how good the fruit is. Decent fruit from a tree that is known to perform may not be "exotic" but it might be better than a tree that isn't so hardy, or doesn't perform well.

Getting reliable cold-hardiness info seems to be a difficult task, as many people do not wish to risk their prize trees in the testing process.

Hi Zoe,

I'm in Philadelphia and have a decent fig tree collection, only one in the ground though, it's a Sal's Colrenone. If you would like a cutting I will be happy to give you one. Send me a private message  

Barry

Thanks for the input and offer! It had occurred to me to ask for a cutting from the tree in the neighborhood - I have eaten the figs ( they don't know what to do with them) and they're so-so...but I think I'll try anyways.

Zoeart I have a brown turkey tree still in a pot that I got this year if you are set on a brown turkey fig I will trade you for the nero tree..Just and idea I have three brown turkey trees right now and I can afford to trade one out.. I am only 20 minutes from philly. Shoot me an email if you are interested