Brown Turkey Fig (Ficus carica cv.)

Half-hardy, deciduous shrub
Description: Produces medium to large, reddish-purple fruits with amber flesh in late summer and fall
Habit: Grows 10’-30’ high and wide; vigorous; multi-stemmed; cold-tolerant
Culture: Needs full sun for best fruiting and organically rich, moist, well-drained soil; can be grown in a large container; best sited in a protected location (like a south-facing wall)
Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 6b

When Jefferson mentioned planting the “purple fig” at Monticello, he was probably referring to the variety known today as ‘Brown Turkey,’ which has been cultivated under various names for centuries. A.J. Downing, nineteenth-century authority on fruit culture in America, wrote that the Brown Turkey “is undoubtedly one of the very best for this country, as it is perhaps the very hardiest, and one of the most regular and abundant bearers.” This is one of the most vigorous and cold-tolerant figs we offer and it remains a favorite for its large, juicy fruits and productiveness. The ‘Brown Turkey’ is also known as ‘Everbearing’ or ‘Texas Everbearing’ and is one of the earliest to bear fruits.

Brown Turkey Fig (Ficus carica cv.) arrives in a 2 gallon pot.