If you had to pick one, which would it be?

Yellow. I'm ordering a couple of other plants from Edible Landscapings, and I figured I'd add one more fig tree. I've narrowed it down to those two.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Marseilles. Simply because of the Thomas Jefferson connection. Otherwise it seems like they're fairly evenly matched. From what I gather, they're both popular, cold-hardy, OK-tasting, and early-ripening.

Matt,

If you haven't already done so check out this link to learn more about fig varieties:

http://figs4fun.com/Varieties.html


I have a Hardy Chicago fig tree and am pretty happy with it.  Can't speak for Marseilles.


Joe

Oh, BTW, supposedly Edible Landscaping has two different trees labelled "Hardy Chicago" in their collection.  One is reported to be superior to the other.  They used to sell the better one as "Sal's".  Now they take cuttings from both trees and sell the baby fig trees as Hardy Chicago.  If you decide to go with a Hardy Chicago from EL then youy should probably talk to someone there on the phone and make sure they send one that is from the tree they used to sell as Sal's.

Joe

Also edible landscaping has two different marseille at least, St. Anthony and a Latarrula.
Mike also told me that his Marseille bears earlier than Hardy Chicago.
I had a large Yellow Marseille in the ground, it's okay, it is very sweet. It did have an open eye and the ants love it. I've noticed that it does better in the container.

Matt 

If you are looking for the tree grown by Jefferson do some research on the pulp color and seed size then make sure your supplier is offering one that matches.  This is one historic fig w/ a documented description . Marseilles conforming to type are available, unfortunately  trees bearing the name Marseilles that do not are also.

Regards

Bob

To add to the Marseille confusion, I traded with Al from italian fig trees in NJ, I gave him a Brooklyn White, I later found out that he took cuttings and sold it under the name Marseille.

I have a Marseilles from EL and a Hardy Chicago, both in pots. In my climate, the Marseilles has been a shy bearer. Hardy Chicago has been very nice.

Scott