Adriatic Fig Tree
A fig with a lot of confusion around its name as there is record of figs grown in the region near the Adriatic Sea being called Adriatic figs for centuries. We’re unsure if this Adriatic Fig tree is the same clone as the one known as Adriatic at UC Davis but was shared with us as Adriatic JH, for whatever that’s worth. However the nomenclature shakes out, the fig is very cold hardy, early ripening enough to usually get a crop here in Portland and intensely delicious with a flavor far surpassing many other green figs.
A true gourmet delight, you should not live your life without feasting on this sweet, delectable fruit. One of the easiest fruits to grow, figs are happy outdoors in the Maritime Northwest and, with winter protection, in ports or in the ground in colder climates. To fully enjoy fresh Figs you must grow your own. When fully ripe and at their tender best, shipping them long distances is virtually impossible. While many fig varieties are not suitable for the Northwest, our varieties have been chosen for their ability to ripen in our climate. Another plus for Figs – deer don’t like them (most of the time)!
Growing Info:
Latin Name: Ficus carica
Site and Soil: Figs like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Self fig-ful
Hardiness: Hardy to between 0° & 5° F.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 10-20 ft in height, smaller with pruning.
Taste: Rich, jammy and delicious!
Fruit Skin: Yellow
Fruit Flesh: Bright red
Bloom Time: Flowers are not noticeable as they are inside the fruit
Ripening Time: late August-September
Yield: 10-15 lbs. or more per plant
Pests & Diseases: Figs are not bothered by pests in our region. Cover plants with netting if birds are a problem.
Fig Mosaic Virus is a benign virus that exists in all cultivated fig trees. Yellow spotting of the leaves is a cosmetic symptom that shows more in container culture, but is quickly outgrown once trees are planted in the ground. The presence of FMV in all cultivated figs has become widely accepted, as even the national germplasm repository for figs maintained by the USDA has Fig Mosaic Virus. If the presence of FMV is a concern, then purchasing fig trees may not be the best option for you.
USDA Zone: 7