Fig trees

Figs are a unique and luscious fruit, not easy to grow in the UK climate - but well worthwhile.

• Brown Turkey

  Brown Turkey is the most popular fig for the UK climate.

  £44.75buy

• Dalmatie

  A large green-fruited fig with pretty foliage.

  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile

• Jordan

  A precocious red-fruited fig.

  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile

• Panache

  An attractive striped fig, ripening in early August.

  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile

How to choose Fig trees

Figs are fascinating trees, quite unlike most of the orchard fruits grown in temperate climates. In fact they are essentially a sub-tropical fruit, but can be grown by the keen gardener in most of the drier and warmer parts of the UK.

Growing fig trees is not hard in the UK, but getting them to fruit is an interesting challenge. The key is to pick the sunniest and most sheltered spot you can find, and, somewhat bizarrely, to restrict the root growth with a container or a planting hole lined with patio slabs.

Figs respond well to winter pruning.