Originating from the Mediterranean and Asia
- Large, deeply lobed leaves form a handsome architectural canopy.
- Huge green figs with sweet amber-red flesh ripen in two crops during good summers.
- Vigorous, productive and compact, ideal for growing your own large figs in small gardens.
The Large Fruit Fig Tree in Your Garden
Deeply lobed, exotic-looking leaves unfurl in spring more sparsely than those of many figs, allowing sunlight to ripen the fruits. Its compact framework of branches is easily fan-trained, making it ideal for small gardens and growing in pots.
Ficus carica ‘Dalmatie’ is a productive variety suitable for all but the coldest northern and central UK gardens. It reaches 2.5m tall and wide in 10-20 years; however, it is easily pruned to any desired size. This makes it suitable for both larger gardens and sun-drenched seaside patios in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The green, ripening to yellow-green fruits are notably large – up to 200 grams each in ideal conditions! The flesh has a honey-like flavour with notes of strawberry and raspberry, and is amber to red in colour. Exceptionally sweet, the figs drip with syrup from their bases when ripe.
Did you know? Figs are often referred to as half-hardy, but at Urban Jungle, we believe this term applies only to the fruit or to soft tip growth. There are many trees in East Anglia that survived the winters of 2009 – 11, when temperatures as low as -18 degrees were recorded.
Growing Tips for Your Ficus carica ‘Précoce de Dalmatie’
- Soil and sun: plant in any soil except those that are heavy and wet in winter. Full sun produces the best crop; part shade produces larger leaves.
- Planting: any time of year. Never plant a dry plant! Thoroughly drench the root ball before planting. Ignore advice about restricting your fig’s root spread.
- Watering: ample water while the fruits are swelling is essential for crop quality. Once established, it tolerates drought, although possibly at the expense of heavy cropping.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with a high-potash fertiliser from spring to late summer.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter. Remove overcrowded or crossing branches to keep the shape open and encourage fruiting.
