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Varieties suitable for Central Ark

Hello!

I am new to this board and new to figs.  I am wanting to plant a few different varieties and I am having trouble deciding what to choose.  I live in an area (Central AR, 7b) with high humidity and blistering hot sun in the summer.  The winters are wet, sometimes icy, and we have the occasional late freeze in the early spring (March-April).  I am debating between Violette de Bordeaux, Strawberry Verte, Celeste, Peter's Honey and Alma.  While I do like sweet, I want some depth of flavor beyond that.  Does anyone have any experience in my area with those varieties?  How about other varieties that work well here?  I want to try both a dark and a green skinned fig. 

I am particularly interested in learning about Strawberry Verte growing in this area.  I have read that it may not do so well here because of the humidity. 

Thanks!

Courtney
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Welcome to the forum Courtney!
If you're looking for a variety with complex flavor I would go with Violette de Bordeaux. It ripens relatively early and has a unique berry type flavor. I'm not sure if it would ripen properly with your high humidity but it's worth a try. 
Best of luck!
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Sounds like you similar weather to where I live in Seattle. Much like many others, I'm currently running trials on about 40 varieties. I would suggest. DK, Negronne, Ronde De Bordeaux, MVSB, Chicago Hardy, Stella, Verte. I think part of the fun is trialling what works and what doesnt. Everyone's taste is different.
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Welcome!  We have a few people in AR so you should get some of them responding soon.
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Thanks! I have pretty much decided on Violette de Bordeaux. I'm still undecided about what I want for the additional one(s).  I'm trying to start slow but I have a feeling that attitude is going to go out the window pretty quick!  I have space for a few in the ground but I am already rationalizing growing some in containers.
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Hi Courtney, and welcome to the forum.  Get yourself these and you will be jumping for joy every year!

1.  LSU Black
2.  Tacoma Voilet
3.  Lyndhurst White
4.  LSU Tiger
5.  Desert King

Here's why I recommend these....

I live in Charlotte NC and I have these growing outside in 8a in huge self watering pots.  They stay out all winter and with temps dropping down to 5 degree twice in 2014 and 2013 they survived.  Come Spring give the trees a weekly feed or fish emulsion.  Good luck and welcome.
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Originally Posted by 2many2choose
Hello!

I am new to this board and new to figs.  I am wanting to plant a few different varieties and I am having trouble deciding what to choose.  I live in an area (Central AR, 7b) with high humidity and blistering hot sun in the summer.  The winters are wet, sometimes icy, and we have the occasional late freeze in the early spring (March-April).  I am debating between Violette de Bordeaux, Strawberry Verte, Celeste, Peter's Honey and Alma.  While I do like sweet, I want some depth of flavor beyond that.  Does anyone have any experience in my area with those varieties?  How about other varieties that work well here?  I want to try both a dark and a green skinned fig. 

I am particularly interested in learning about Strawberry Verte growing in this area.  I have read that it may not do so well here because of the humidity. 

Thanks!

Courtney


Hi Courtney,

We live in  your same area, in Jacksonville. Where are you located?

I have several figs, but only two that have been around long enough to really say much about - Hardy Chicago and a unk that I think is Visa. Both make excellent here. I also have an Italian Black and LSU gold that I planted last year. The IB gave a handful of wonderful figs last year, the LSU gold was insipid at best.

I would  say it is hard to go wrong with the HC, even if it dies to the ground it will ripen figs the next year. I could share some cuttings with you this fall if you like.

I also have several others that should produce a few this year, VdB, and Strawberry Verte are among them. But for now I can's say what to expect.
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GeneDaniels, I'm not too far from you.  I'm in Conway now, but I used to live in Jacksonville.  Good to know about the LSU Gold.  I had been eyeing that one a little as well.  I don't really remember looking at Italian Black, but there are so many varieties and they are all starting to run together!  Thanks for the info.  I know taste is entirely subjective, but it is good to know how the figs perform here. Knowing how they perform in zone 8a helps as well, considering I'm only about 20 miles away from where zone 8a starts.  Thanks to you as well Snaglpus!

Courtney
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The LSU Gold will develop taste, may take 3 yrs, also depends on how much rain.
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