Figs have been an underrated fruit in New Zealand in recent times and yet they fit well into the modern garden, especially if they are grown in containers where a very restricted root zone makes them more manageable and fruitful. Container culture tends to shorten the internode (stem length between leaves) and therefore maximize fruit production. Adequate water is needed during fruit and foliage development in spring and early summer. By nature the root systems are very inquisitive so be conscious of the proximity of plumbing and services if planting them in the ground. Heavy clay soils are ideal for figs as these do not stimulate too much growth.

Fruiting

First crop or breba figs form on last years growth and will not grow until spring. These ripen December- January depending on site and variety selected. To encourage their earlier development remove the terminal bud at budburst in spring. There is a half-truth in circulation that figs require a minute wasp for pollination of the early crop. This is true for a group of fig cultivars refered to as "Smyrna figs". There are probably quite a few of these trees in the country that still bear late crops, but the selections listed here are all from reliable sources and produce good crops without the need for pollination.

Fig Mrs Williams

Second crop figs form during the summer growing season and ripen in the Autumn from late March to May. To enhance development of late crop figs tip the new shoots to 4 or 5 leaves in mid December. This is not usually needed in containers.

Growing

To ensure good breba crops are produced, as soon as the remaining late crop figs have stopped maturing properly, they should be removed and the plants sprayed with a fungicide such as Copper oxychloride. If the unripened figs are left on the tree, they can become infected with botrytis and other fungus diseases which can creep into the stem and girdle it, killing the tips and eliminating the embryonic figs present.

Hardy to -5°C

Pruning details here, and figs make ideal candidates for espalier.

Fig Brunoro Black

Figs by variety

Tharfield Nursery has worked with a New Zealand fig enthusiast to select the current range of varieties to cover both fruit types and long fruiting seasons. We have tried to select varieties with both early season fruiting (Jan-Feb) and a later crop as well (April-May). These are approximate seasons only, and each variety may be a little earlier or later depending on the microclimate.

Some of these varieties may be known overseas by correct cultivar names but in the mean time we have produced these as "heirloom" varieties, having with the current owner's permission, named them according to source. Some of these varieties date back to the 19th century, having come to New Zealand with various European immigrants.

• Brown Turkey - Brown Turkey is variable around the country depending on the source. This clone has both an early and late crop of good sized, slightly bronze coloured fruit, with pinkish or light amber flesh.
• French Sugar - This variety produces a small early crop with the main crop occurring later in the season. The fruit have a dark skin with purple stripes when mature. Flesh is light pink or amber.
• Vlassoff - This belongs to a group of varieties referred to as "Honey Figs". Large round fruit which turn purple to black when mature with a succulent red flesh. The skin colour need direct sunlight to develop properly. Vlassoff produces both an early crop and in warm districts a late crop in April - May.
• Brunoro Black - Very divided leaves, which by themselves add interest to the garden as a foliage plant. Produces an early crop of small fruit, very dark skinned, containing red flesh similar to that of Celeste or Malta. There's an added bonus of a second crop later in the season in warmer areas.
• Mrs Williams - Dark purple red skinned fruit with a deep carmine flesh when ripe. It's an early and late crop fruit in northern districts, ripening in January or late March. Excellent variety fresh or for drying.