One seller sent me his fig tree list:

Paradiso, 

Black Marseilles VS 

Brooklyn White

Dalmatie (San Pietro)

Sicilian Black

Im not sure which is rarest one.. 

Since you just registered today and may not have read many posts here otherwise you might have realized that none of the ones in the list can be really called " rare.
Some may be difficult for some to get hold of but that does not make it rare.

There are many rarer, however, more important is what will grow well in your area.

Pauls collection 
Bass collection
Gorgis collection
Rafeds collection
Nelsons collection 
Jons collecton 
Barrys collection 
Adrianos collecton
Hermans collection 
Dennis collection 
Doms collection
Martins collection
Bauds collecton
Pons collecton
Micheals collection

Barry hit it on the head it really should be what will grow well for the buyer in his area.. to many questions to answer. pots or in ground, winter protection or not, dark or light, heavy fruit bearer or occasional is the buyer willing to do the fig shuffle or wants to plant it and pick it,  there are to many variables. I understand alot of lurkers out there have read alot and might know alot but a good search will answer alot of your questions...

Who cares what is rare?  I care what is tasty.  Rare is fun for collectors or good for profiteers.  Tasty is good for people who want their figs and eat them too.

Tasty wins over rare any day - main reason I continue to look for unknowns.  

Makes sense to me Jason. A good point well said.

Richer, this seller and I are in the same area. What in his list are all in ground. Thank all of you for your replies.

:)

If anything, everything on your list is a good fig. Don't know too much about the Dalmatie though.

i'm looking cuttings of 2 of those on your list myself.

When someone say 'rare', I would imagine that to mean hard to obtain. None of the fig listed are considered rare by that definition.

Also as Barry indicated, rare isn't always equal to best. However, growing in container, most figs can be grown in US.

I think someone said something like 'some figs are rare not because they are hard to get, but because they are hard to keep alive'.

For me personally.

My rarest plants are the ones i look forward each season to eat and do well for me cause im picky with a figs taste so its rare to me and no one else.
But there not what i consider actually rare and as i grow new ones i find some not up to my palate taste and while some exceed my favorites of past.

Rare does not make a fig taste good and also what one may like the other may not like as much.  ; )

I do grow what some may consider rare at this point in time called jolly tiger for its beauty not its rarity nor its figs as i have tasted them while there decent there are others in my yard that are better and if not for its beauty it may not have lasted in my yard.


I personally feel fig plants lose there rarity as they get passed around and then another different type may come around to take its place and it will happen with the jolly tiger and others just like it happened with others of past.

Unknowns!!

"Unknowns are like a box of chocolates, ya' never know what your gonna get".

Inspired by Forrest Gump

But my ultimate favorite: Ronde de Bordeaux and of course.. Unknown varieties that are awesome for my climate. 

Hi Jenn,

What does the RdB taste like to you?  Does it taste like a fig, or another kind of fruit?

noss.

Taste effin' figalucious! I dont have one YET but very soon. A member sent an overnight shipment (I paid it lol) for some fruits. I'm pretty crazy.  Omg when they arrived. It was stupid sweet, subtle berry notes, and jam consistency! I nearly fell FOWARD it was so delicious. As soon as my payments are clear with another member, I will be planting in ground during dormancy. 

I am trying to hit the lotto with several unknowns: who knows maybe I will get a col de dame? The point is I might be getting a rare variety or somethingreally awesome to share cuttings with select members of the forum. BTW* it took me a long...... Time to get RdB. Even though I will be adopting a few... I am still seeking out for more. You see me poking my nose in every topic that begins with RDB lolololol 

Jenn, I like the manner you put it across "Ultimate Wish List"

Those figs are anything BUT rare!  It's all a matter of, opinion, taste, richness, and sweetness.  RdB, Negronne, Smith, Hollier, Black Maderia, Improved Celeste, Blacke Celeste and others are completely that.

Three things will make them not rare: good taste, ease of reproduction; vigor.

I guess what everyone's saying is what is more precious to them because the taste, productivity, look, and others. If that's the case, I'll go with my VdB. Just had first main crop of the year. Just amazing.

I agree with whom says taste and hardiness for your area. You never mentioned what part of the country you live in. Here's my answer, as per your list. M VS Black. Now alot of people threw very good options at you, but what they forgot was what your question was. You gave a list of figs, that you had to choose from and with this list I'd choose M VS Black. This tree will produce lots of very good figs to fill your belly with. My guess this list is from a member that is near to you, and this is what he or she  grows. Do not know how your financial status is, and possibly counting pennies to buy a tree. You will be very happy with M VS Black. Hope this helps, and good fig growing.


luke

MVS Black is not rare but is super productive tasty and easy to grow.
Very good as first fig,for  a new grower.

The boy wants rare!  I think the consensus here is, "Rare, Are you kidding?"  We like flavor!  Productivity, and ease of growth!

We actually LIKE FIGS! 

This morning, on my dutiful stroll through the yard, I had an amazing VDB which is not on your list, and should be.  Juicy, sweet, and tasted like Raspberry jam!!  But it's not rare......  It just is one of the best tasting figs on the earth!  Violet du Bordeaux!!

Suzi

Dear figs4me,
I have a lot of varieties yet the one that tastes the best to me growing here in zone 7a in Virginia is a Conadria I bought from EL 6 years ago in a 7 gallon pot. I imagine it's a 9 or 10 year old plant I keep in a 15 gallon pot. This year I've been trading/buying/begging for rarer varieties but VdB or Negronne as it's also called is anything but rare, yet it has an extremely rich flavor as do dozens of others. I wouldn't worry too much about which tree is rarer, I'd ask about flavor. I'd try and figure out which type of fig tastes best to you. I think Paradisio is a great fig. I haven't had a Dalmantie but all the others are damn good figs as far as I'm concerned. I'm guilty of wanting rare figs but I started with the more common ones and still think Alma, Celeste, LSU Purple and yes even Black Turkey are worth the space in my collection. I ate my first Gino's yesterday and well - geez . . . you know what? There aren't any bad figs as far as I'm concerned. If picked ripe I like every single variety I've ever tasted. Sure some are better then others but it's so dependent on how and where you keep them. If I were you I'd get as many as I had room for and start learning which types I like better and which ones grow well where you live. Try and find local figs you can taste. I'll bet there's more figs around you then you realize. Hell, I didn't know until this year that just 40 miles from here there's a 400 tree fig grove and tomorrow I'll drive over and for $6.99 a pound I'll get to try 3 varieties I've never had. 
Some of the rare varieties are rare because they are hard to keep/propagate. If a fig tastes good and is hardy and easy to propagate it's not going to stay rare for long. Rare doesn't always mean better, but it almost always means more expensive. Again look at Negronne - great fig and not rare or pricey. 

I'd ask other members who live near you what figs they'd buy if they were just starting to collect. Put a price tag on them. You should be able to get great figs (maybe not 100%ers - but certainly 95%ers) for $25. Forget the "status" varieties at first. Wait til you just have to have them before you risk the money. Just my humble opinion.
Anyway good luck. Welcome and I hope you buy more then 1 tree.
Michael

Oh. I just bought a Black Marseilles VS at $70.  Please check if it is realBlack Marseilles VS. Thank again.

Excellent choice. And when you decide to try a white, Brooklyn white is also a good one. I'm not very good at id by leaf, but I think that looks right. 

i heard that's a very good fig. i'm sure you will enjoy it.

Yes THat it is MVS Black,you will have no problem growing or getting high quality fruits out of this one.
Once you learn how to live with this one in your climate you can go for rare fig trees like Col De Dame,Maltese Falcon,and others,That are a notch better tasting, but they will be more demanding when about care.

You done did good. Very healthy looking tree. There's only one problem, Once you get one....There will be more..HA HA HA  When will the madness end.

Also remember you can get cutting for a lot less at the right time of year. Start growing, you can do it.


luke

Hey figs4me,
It looks like you bought a very nice plant and MVS certainly is a good variety. So which variety will you buy next? And after that? ETC.

Rare is the one you want but can't find one that is for sale.

It is all about production and flavor. If it is the best tasting fig in the world, but doesn't ripen in your climate, then it is not a great fig.

Black Madeira is, IMO, the best tasting fig, a 10. But it ripens 2-3 dozen figs in my climate. VdB ripens dozens a day for a month. It tastes like a 9.5. Which do you really want? If I had one tree, I would take the VdB. Since I can have many trees, I have both and am happy with the few Black Madeiras I get, but the VdB is the workhorse.

I realized Vdb is great from your opinions.

Pitangadieo, you did a good job to build up this forum and set up a great community. I will buy you some fig trees someday for sure.

I found this thread through googling "What is the rarest fig variety" lol  After reading everyones posts I couldnt help but laugh to myself how odd of a question it is to be searching for the rarest of something.  Like someone posted its typically about money or about collecting.  I think for me the reason I was trying to find the rarest was because it would be something with a story that I could pass on.  I think thats what would make a fig tree more rare to me.  For example theres a person offering cuttings from a tree he found in a Brooklyn lot that was being cleared out.  I found a fig tree on a very old homestead that had the house torn down and just a very old brick storage building left standing there.  The building was so old the bricks were rotting clear out of it.

I would love to find cuttings of a fig tree that was a piece of someones family heritage in Greece, or cuttings from a tree that once stone at Monticello. Etc etc.  I am new to fig growing, I am currently rooting 12 varieties just because I want to and I look forward to seeing how it goes.  But Id love to have some trees with a known pedigree that every time I eat one of the figs I could remember its history or tell its story.  To me, thats what would make a fig tree rare.  Maybe im crazy though :)

Everyone here has given a great answer to the question of "which is the rarest fig." So, it seems to me that the definition of "rare" depends on who you ask!

Personally, I enjoy eating figs. So, flavor is really important. However, I am also interested in a fig that doesn't just tastes great BUT is also beautiful. The story behind the fig tree is also special.

I guess you could say that my definition of "rare" is broad. So yeah, a rare fig tree can be defined in many ways. It depends on who you ask.

Great question Figs4me. Just look at what great thread you got going!

The Godfathers tree is rare ;)

Dall'Osso may be the rarest of them all, as matter of fact may no longer exist. i Have one? that originated from Vivaio Belfiore but supposedly may not be the real one? i'll have to wait and see.
another rare one is LUV (dialect for Lupo (wolf)) from Paolo Belloni, a collector in southern Italy, it's supposed to be a good one, i'll wait to find out on that one also. with so many varietals, opinions, names and possible missed labeling i want to see with my own eyes, meantime my figs are all numbered.

What does it matter if it's rare!!!  Are you buying fig trees only for prestige?  If it will grow and ripen fruit in your area and "YOU" like the way it tastes then who cares!!!!!!!

Luckily everyone gets to grow for their own reasons :)

I agree COGardener, i like to grow my figs for flavor, production and for sentimental reason, but sometime it's ok to do it just for the fun of it and the challenge. for me it's a hobby 

Yes great thread. This question keeps running through my head as I deal with my first taste of fig fever! I often wonder about what constitues rare today and to whom. I am reminded of the tulip fever that swept through Holland. The rare tulips were very saught after or deemed rare for a time. I too am most interested in the fig of my figgy dreams. It's a beautiful tree that responds to my environment, care and it's heritage with a lush tree, abundant and savory figs. Before I found this forum I was ignorant to the scope and breadth of the diversity of this tree. Truly incredible the variety that this fruiting tree has adapted to survive and to feed us. And the knowledge and wisdom of those who partner with them. Looking forward to more rare and delicious fig experiences...

The most rare fig is the one you really want and finally get and then it dies. :)

It's out there Charlie.....  you just have to catch the rainbow.  :)

Lol, Charlie...i agree!

The elusive "real" LSU Sott's Yellow. :)

[QUOTE=jenniferarino83]Taste effin' figalucious! I dont have one YET but very soon. A member sent an overnight shipment (I paid it lol) for some fruits. I'm pretty crazy.  Omg when they arrived. It was stupid sweet, subtle berry notes, and jam consistency! I nearly fell FOWARD it was so delicious. As soon as my payments are clear with another member, I will be planting in ground during dormancy. 

I am trying to hit the lotto with several unknowns: who knows maybe I will get a col de dame? The point is I might be getting a rare variety or somethingreally awesome to share cuttings with select members of the forum. BTW* it took me a long...... Time to get RdB. Even though I will be adopting a few... I am still seeking out for more. You see me poking my nose in every topic that begins with RDB lolololol 


[/QUOTE]~i got some rdb cuttings from a member ( Frankallen) wow they all rooted well he has some good rdb cuttings or did have ,thanks again frank,~

It is human nature to want to have something that no one else has. This concept might work for art collecting. Since my goal is to have a crop and eat delicious figs throughout the summer months and well into the fall, the more common varieties mentioned by members of this forum are more than enough to satisfy the most demanding taste. The elements play a huge role in the variety's success. An established and healthy tree at a particular location makes that tree not only rare but unique.

[QUOTE=Sas]It is human nature to want to have something that no one else has. This concept might work for art collecting. Since my goal is to have a crop and eat delicious figs throughout the summer months and well into the fall, the more common varieties mentioned by members of this forum are more than enough to satisfy the most demanding taste. The elements play a huge role in the variety's success. An established and healthy tree at a particular location makes that tree not only rare but unique. [/QUOTE]~i agree i am going to have all in grounds here to be ITALIAN LETIZA , and  HARDY CHICAGO ,these are zone 6 trees very cold hardy ,but i still cover for winter,~~

The Sanguinato greek fig is super rare.I figured I would throw that out there.

Order might be different depending on location

1, Galicia Negra
2, Col de dame Blanca/Negra
3, BORDISSOT BLANCA-NEGRA
4, BORDISSOT NEGRA RIMADA
5, Black Maderia
6, Figo Preto
7, COLL DE DAMA DE CIUTAT
8, COLL DE DAMA ROJA
9, COLL DE DAMA GIGANTINA
9, COLL DE DAMA BORDISSOTENCA
10, All Rimadas

Since Adam & Eve covered themselves with fig leaves in the garden of Eden, I'm fairly convinced that tree was a type of fig, the best, greatest ultimate fig.  Nobody has it. :)

The rarest fig...unknown if it exists at all these days but continually sought...is the fig that makes you say, "Now I have the best and this is all the figs I need."