Chicago Hardy Fig Tree (Ficus carica ‘Chicago Hardy’)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
• Can tolerate partial sun but best fruiting occurs in full sun

Bloom Time:

• Spring (non-showy greenish flowers)
• Fruit ripens in early summer and again in late summer to fall

Size:

Height: 10 to 15 feet (can be pruned to maintain smaller size)

Width: 9 to 12 feet

Attributes:

• Medium-sized, sweet figs with purple-brown skin and pink flesh
• Fruits on both old and new wood for extended harvest
• Cold-hardy to USDA Zones 5–10 21
• Fast-growing (2–3 feet per year)
• Attractive, lobed foliage and silvery-grey bark
• Suitable for containers and small spaces
• Deciduous in cold climates; evergreen in mild zones

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-draining, loamy soil with slightly acidic pH
• Water moderately; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
• Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots in winter
• Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer
• Prune in late winter to shape and encourage fruiting
• Protect in colder zones with wrapping or heavy mulch

Pest Watch:

• Monitor for fig beetles, aphids, scale insects, and fig rust
• Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
• Closed-eye fruit helps resist splitting and insect damage