Either way, I'll look forward to hearing the results you find.

Mike    central NY state, zone 5

Since we have been bending all of our dozen or so different varieties to the ground, and covering them with soil, and insulation to keep them dry, we have not had to use either WiltPruf or FreezePruf yet. But, I'm thinking about using it when we leave one of the  the three year old Marseilles Black VS uncovered this winter. I have been told that Hanc Mathies used WiltPruf on his figs, to protect them from the wind.

As to other figs that might be as cold hardy as Marseilles Black VS. We have only been able to locate two other possibles; Hanc Mathies's English Brown Turkey. (Herman feels it's really a Southern Brown Turkey). I tend to lean toward Herman's identification. Since it is smaller then any English Brown Turkey that I have ever seen. I forgot which, but either Hanc or the nursery were Hanc bought it from, thought it might be able to be grown in ground as far north as zone 4b. (With protection) The other fig that some think might prove to be as hardy as Marseilles Black VS, is LaRadek's English Brown Turkey. Some growers in Europe are indicating it to, has survived minus 18 degrees Fahrenheit. It to is being grown in a protected spot up against the foundation of a house.

Bob, zone 5 Connecticut

So, since we have other cold hardy variants that have taste and flavor, there has been no reason to grow it here.

Bob, zone 5 Connecticut

The only other fig we have that would be old enough to test is a so called Hardy Chicago. But, I'm not positive it's Hardy Chicago. I say that because I bought it from a fellow collector and friend. It was bought at the same time he was having doubts as to whether Sal's and Hardy Chicago were the same. (They are not). at least the ones we have here.

Hardy Chicago was planted in the most favorable spot, we had. In the V of our chimney, and it has died back several times, to the ground without winter protection.

So far the only fig we would recommend for a cold area, would be Herman's Marseilles Black VS.

It maybe cold hardy down to minus 18-19 degrees Fahrenheit, once it is mature. It has proven here it can be grown with under 6 hours of sun light, and in wet ground, and still produce an acceptable fruit. Plus, it will produce a lot.

We are testing about 12 or so others, that are considered cold hardy. Such as Danny's Delight, Hardy Hartford, Ronde de Bourdeaux, Brooklyn White, Beyernfeige Violetta, Abbruzzi, Hanc's English Brown Turkey, LaRadek's English Brown Turkey, Sal's EL, and Geno's. These have been rated as cold hardy between 0 to minus 19 degrees. But, we have not tested anything more then we have Marseilles Black, so far. So I would only recommend Marseilles Black as being cold hardy, from our testing. But, of course those rating are conditional.

However, Paul Tracesky did test about 30 miles north of us, Sal's EL for about 15 years. Although it bears late into the season, it is considered the gold standard for our area of Connecticut. I have been told that Paul use to pick them like dates late into the season. I have also been told that his winterizing consisted of simply throwing a tarp of his Sal's EL. I like the fact that they are sweet, even when picked in late October or early November. 

Bob, Zone 5 Connecticut