I am getting ready to plant some figs in the ground and am trying to figure out the best layout.  It would be helpful if I knew which of my varieties will quickly grow into big trees vs. which will stay on the smaller side for a while. 

Can you please help me by ranking the following varieties in order of most to least vigorous.  Thanks.

It would also be helpful to know which have the highest sun/heat requirement.

Celeste

VDB (this is the Wills strain, so I think this one is pretty vigorous)

LSU Purple

Battaglia

CDDG

Malta Black

Black Madiera

Lyndhurst White

Alma

Malta Black and VdB have grown very fast for me. Black Madeira and Alma have been slower.

Malta Black grows strong. There is a strain of CdD Gris here in NY that grows like a weed.

I think it would be important to note that vigor is very dependent on plant health. A FMV infected probably won't be nearly as vigorous as something that's clean.

Pretty obvious I suppose, but something to keep in mind.

IMO, the order from most to least would be...

Celeste

Lyndhurst White
Malta Black
Battaglia
VDB

LSU Purple

Alma
CDDG

Black Madiera

Good Luck...

BTW, the sun/heat requirement is also listed but would be from least to most.

when i had my vdb it grew very well didnt make it through winter,but my celeste was top killed this winter and is a multi trunk bush now 7 foot tall and 4 foot wide.

I agree with Pete's assessment, but I would put cddG ( from Herman) right above battaglia (4th place), but it is like Kelby said, there are other variables at play.