Our Northern Fig Sampler is a cold-tolerant fig collection designed specifically for growers in cooler climates or anyone who wants extra insurance against winter damage. This trio includes ‘Chicago’ (Hardy Chicago), ‘Olympian’, and ‘Violet de Bordeaux’—three proven performers known for reliability, early ripening, and excellent flavor. Each trio pack you order contains one plant from each variety. Together, they offer a range of fig styles that do well in shorter growing seasons. All plants are nursery-grown and well-rooted, ready to thrive in the ground or in large containers. Plants start shipping in spring after danger of freezing and will come in robust 2" plugs. Let's Unpack This Trio Chicago (Hardy Chicago) – Ultra Hardy & DependableHardy Chicago is one of the most cold-tolerant figs available and a go-to choice for northern growers. It produces medium-sized, dark figs with a classic fig flavor and performs well even after winter dieback, fruiting reliably on new growth. A great backbone variety for cold climates and beginner fig growers. Olympian – Large, Sweet, & EarlyOlympian figs are known for their large size and mild, honey-sweet flavor. This variety tends to ripen early, making it especially valuable where summers are short. It’s a strong producer and adapts well to container growing, allowing northern growers to protect it in winter if needed. Violet de Bordeaux – Small Figs, Big FlavorViolet de Bordeaux produces smaller, deep purple figs with intense, rich sweetness and a dense, jammy interior. It’s prized for flavor above all else and ripens relatively early for such a high-quality fig. This variety stays compact and is well suited to containers and tight spaces. These varieties stand out for their cold hardiness, early ripening, and outstanding flavor, giving northern growers the best chance at consistent harvests year after year. With different fruit sizes, flavors, and growth habits, the trio offers diversity without complexity. Growing Information 🌱 Plant Type: Perennial fruiting shrubs/trees🌱 Hardiness Zones: 6–10 (can be grown colder with winter protection). Chicago can often do fine on the edge of zone 5 without extra care.🌱 When to Plant: Spring after last frost🌱 When to Harvest: Late summer to early fall (varies by variety) Cultivation Tips Full instructions included with your order!! Soil requirements: Prefers well-drained soil with moderate fertility. Avoid heavy, wet soils, especially in colder climates. Sunlight: Full sun (6–8+ hours per day) for best ripening and sweetness. Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, figs are drought tolerant, but even moisture improves fruit size—especially for container-grown plants. Harvesting: Harvest figs when they soften and droop slightly. Fully ripe figs have the best flavor and do not ripen further once picked. While these varieties tend to ripen early, making them ideal for shorter northern summers, figs are still technically subtropical plants. These varieties are more cold-hardy than most figs, but you will need to get them ready for winter by mulching them in zones 4-5. Non-GMO Commitment: At The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices.
