Texas Blue Giant Fig Tree

Description

Texas Blue Giant Fig Tree

Young, recently rooted plant | Limited availability

 

Texas Blue Giant is an impressive fig variety best known for producing very large, dark purple to blue-black figs. The fruit can reach an exceptional size under good growing conditions, with attractive flesh and a sweet, rich flavour. It is an interesting variety for growers who enjoy collecting unusual, large-fruited figs.

The tree itself is vigorous and can make strong growth once established. However, Texas Blue Giant is not one of the earliest-ripening varieties, so British growers should give it as much warmth and sunshine as possible. A sheltered south-facing position, greenhouse or polytunnel will improve the chances of ripening fruit during our shorter growing season. Growing it in a container also makes it easier to move the tree into protection when necessary.

This is a very young plant that has only recently rooted. It is therefore considerably smaller than a typical one- or two-year-old fig tree and should be allowed to establish a strong root system before being pushed into rapid growth or expected to fruit.

Texas Blue Giant is particularly suited to the fig enthusiast or collector who wants to experiment with something less commonly available in the UK.

As with many of our more unusual varieties, availability is limited and seasonal.

 

A note about insects: We grow our plants with as little routine insecticide use as possible, encouraging a healthy garden environment for birds, pollinators and other beneficial wildlife. We inspect every plant before dispatch and take all reasonable care to ensure it is healthy and free from obvious pests. However, because these are living plants grown outdoors, we cannot guarantee that an occasional insect, caterpillar or unseen egg will never be present. This is a natural part of growing plants and does not necessarily indicate that a plant is unhealthy or defective.

Fig leaf skeletoniser, for example, has become increasingly widespread in Britain in recent years. We monitor our plants carefully, but we prefer sensible inspection and control rather than routinely treating our fig trees with insecticide. The fig leaf skeletoniser is established in the UK and has been expanding its range; the RHS notes that its damage is often minor and usually does not affect the health or vigour of established fig trees.