Sebastian County Home & Garden
Fruit Tree information
Fig Varieties Suitable for Sebastian County
Note: Fig nomenclature is full of synonyms. The correct name is listed with
the more common variety name listed in parentheses.
The following varieties have demonstrated hardiness in Fort Smith,
Arkansas landscapes:
- Texas Everbearing
- Brown Turkey obtained from USA sources east of the Rockies
- Malta (Celeste)
- Dottato (Kadota)
- Latturula (Italian Honey)
- Hardy Chicago
All of these have been shown to produce fruit; however their yields have not
been evaluated.
In my experience, Dottato fruit tends to be prone to splitting open right at
ripening in our area. It does produce large numbers of figs, but if you plant
it, be sure to harvest frequently to get the fruit before it splits.
There are undoubtedly more varieties than this that can be grown in our area.
The variety trial we are conducting will help to clarify which varieties are
suited to our climate.
If you possess a named variety that is not listed above and would like
to report on its hardiness (and perhaps a cutting) then contact Dustin Blakey at
the Sebastian County Extension Office: 479-484-7737.
This page will be updated as new information is gathered from the variety
trail.
A word on “Brown Turkey.” Brown Turkey seems to be a generic name for
a whole bunch of similar figs. Western Brown Turkey is not necessarily the same
as what we would call Brown Turkey, so obtain this variety from a source east of
the Rockies. In fact there is variability shown in different strains. Generally,
Brown Turkey is a well-adapted fig that has been grown informally in the
Mid-south for many generations. Some sources say Texas Everbearing is a synonym
for Brown Turkey, but others suggest it is a distinct variety. (It has a
different leaf shape.) I am considering it a separate variety since it is often
listed as such in catalogues.
Back to Figs in Sebastian County
|
