Which variety would you plant in ground?

[whitey]

I live in 7b, maryland, and i have 5 figs cuttings that have rooted. Out of the 5 listed, which do you think would do well, in ground?

Smith
Chicago hardy
Black celeste
Italian long neck(yellow long neck)
Green ischia

I plan on keeping all but the italian long neck in pots until next year. Thank you!

 

[julie]

Welcome! Smith can be sensitive to colder weather and I was not a fan of my YLN and culled it (it tasted like water with the essence of melon). So I would put Black Celeste or Green Ischia in ground since Chicago Hardy you can get anywhere.

 

[Kompakfigs]

Definitely CH. Unfortunately, my Smith died to the ground this year. I could've provided better winter protection but it was an experiment. I have standard Celeste which does well in ground so I am assuming Black Celeste should be fine.

 

[TorontoJoe]

In ground I have a random Etna (CH), I-258 beast and Vince #3

 

[Kompakfigs]

In ground I have a random Etna (CH), I-258 beast and Vince #3

How old is that I-258 to be grown in ground in the frozen tundra of Toronto.

 

[TorontoJoe]

How old is that I-258 to be grown in ground in the frozen tundra of Toronto.

This is my in ground I-258 in 2024. A lot bigger now. Maybe 5 years at time of photos

 

[Kompakfigs]

This is my in ground I-258 in 2024. A lot bigger now. Maybe 5 years at time of photos

Man, the trunk is huge.

 

[Charlie Dodgson]

it tasted like water with the essence of melon

It didn't fully ripen, possibly a feature of that cultivar in your climate. Even when ripened down here in southern California it's not an outstanding fig.