10 Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree Starter Plugs – Sweet Fruit Bare Root Plant

Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with these 10 Violette de Bordeaux fig tree starter plugs. Each plug represents a young, vibrant Ficus carica ‘Violette de Bordeaux’ plant, ready to establish itself in your garden or a container. This highly sought-after variety is celebrated for its naturally dwarf growth habit, making it an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space or those who prefer potted plants. Originating in 17th-century France, the Violette de Bordeaux fig tree is renowned for its prolific production of exceptionally sweet, rich-flavored figs, characterized by their deep red, ‘strawberry’ colored pulp. These starter plugs offer a convenient way to cultivate your own supply of fresh, gourmet figs right at home.

The ‘Violette de Bordeaux’ is a self-pollinating fig tree, meaning you only need one plant to ensure a bountiful harvest. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in various settings, from traditional garden beds to urban balconies. These bare root starter plugs are carefully prepared for shipping, ensuring they arrive ready for planting. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a budding gardener, growing a dwarf fig tree like the Violette de Bordeaux is a delightful and delicious endeavor. Prepare to enjoy fresh, sun-ripened figs with minimal effort, adding a touch of Mediterranean charm to your landscape.

Key Benefits

The Violette de Bordeaux fig tree offers numerous advantages for the home gardener, blending ornamental beauty with practical fruit production. Its unique characteristics make it a standout choice for both beginners and seasoned plant enthusiasts.

• Exceptional Fruit Quality: Enjoy an abundance of incredibly sweet, rich-flavored figs with a distinctive deep red, ‘strawberry’ colored pulp. These gourmet figs are perfect for fresh eating, desserts, jams, or preserves, offering a superior taste experience compared to store-bought varieties.
• Naturally Dwarf Growth: This variety maintains a compact size, making it ideal for smaller gardens, patios, or container growing. Its manageable stature simplifies harvesting and allows for cultivation in diverse urban environments, perfect for a container fig tree.
• Self-Pollinating: The Violette de Bordeaux is a self-fertile fig tree, meaning you don’t need a second plant for cross-pollination to achieve fruit set. This ensures a reliable harvest even if you only have space for one plant.
• Cold Hardy & Pest Resistant: Known for its resilience, this fig tree exhibits good cold hardiness, making it suitable for a wider range of climates. It also shows a natural resistance to many common fig pests, reducing the need for intensive care and chemical treatments, proving it to be a truly cold hardy fig.
• Versatile Growing Options: Thrive in both inground garden settings and large containers, offering flexibility for various landscape designs and gardening preferences. Its adaptability allows you to move containerized plants indoors during harsh winters.
• Historical Significance: Cultivate a piece of history with a fig variety originating from 17th-century France, adding a unique story and charm to your garden.
• Easy to Grow: Despite its gourmet yield, the Violette de Bordeaux fig tree is relatively low-maintenance once established, making it a rewarding plant for gardeners of all skill levels.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Violette de Bordeaux fig tree starter plugs is relatively straightforward, ensuring a healthy plant and abundant fruit for years to come. Upon arrival, carefully unpack your fig tree starter plugs. If not planting immediately, keep them moist and in a sheltered location. Prepare your planting site with well-draining soil, ideally a sandy loam, enriched with organic matter. Figs prefer a slightly alkaline to neutral pH. For container growing, select a large pot (at least 15-20 gallons for a mature plant) with good drainage holes and use a high-quality potting mix.

Figs thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce the sweetest fruit. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent scorching. Water regularly, especially during dry spells and when the fruit is developing. The soil should be consistently moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilize your Violette de Bordeaux fig tree in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, and again in mid-summer if needed, following product instructions. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring to remove dead or crossing branches and to shape the tree, promoting better air circulation and light penetration. Protect young trees from severe winter cold by mulching heavily or moving container plants indoors.

Pest and disease issues are generally minimal for this robust variety. Keep an eye out for common fig pests like fig rust or spider mites, and treat promptly with organic solutions if necessary. Proper spacing and good air circulation can help prevent fungal issues. With consistent care, your dwarf fig tree will flourish, providing a delightful harvest. Remember that this cold hardy fig is quite resilient, but young plants always benefit from a little extra attention during their first year.

Size & Details

You will receive 10 Violette de Bordeaux fig tree starter plugs, which are young, actively growing bare root plants. These starter plugs are typically 4-6 inches tall, featuring a healthy root system ready for transplanting. As a naturally dwarf variety, a mature Violette de Bordeaux fig tree usually reaches a height of 6-10 feet and a similar spread when planted in the ground, though it can be maintained at a smaller size (4-6 feet) through pruning or container cultivation, making it an excellent container fig tree. The growth rate is moderate, allowing you to see significant development in a few seasons. Expect your trees to begin producing fruit within 1-3 years after planting, with increasing yields as they mature. These plants are shipped without pots and with minimal soil around their roots to ensure safe and efficient transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Violette de Bordeaux fig tree starter plugs get? A: Each starter plug is typically 4-6 inches tall. When mature, the Violette de Bordeaux fig tree can reach 6-10 feet tall and wide in the ground, but can be kept smaller (4-6 feet) with proper pruning or by growing it as a dwarf fig tree in a container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Violette de Bordeaux fig tree is primarily an outdoor plant that thrives in full sun. However, in colder climates (outside of its recommended USDA zones), it can be grown as a container fig tree and moved indoors during winter.
• Q: How much sunlight does the Violette de Bordeaux fig tree need? A: This fig tree requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce the best fruit. Full sun is ideal, but some afternoon shade can be beneficial in extremely hot climates.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Violette de Bordeaux fig tree is considered relatively easy to care for once established. It’s self-pollinating and shows good pest resistance, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Q: What condition will the 10 Violette de Bordeaux fig tree starter plugs arrive in? A: Your fig tree starter plugs will arrive as bare root plants, meaning they are shipped without pots and with minimal soil around their healthy root systems, carefully packaged to ensure their vitality.
• Q: How long until this fig tree produces fruit? A: You can typically expect your Violette de Bordeaux fig tree to begin producing fruit within 1-3 years after planting, with production increasing as the tree matures.
• Q: Will the cold hardy fig survive winter in my zone? A: The Violette de Bordeaux fig tree is known for its good cold hardiness, generally thriving in USDA Zones 7-10. In colder zones, it can still be grown successfully if protected during winter, such as by mulching heavily or bringing containerized plants indoors.
• Q: What type of soil is best for this dwarf fig tree? A: The Violette de Bordeaux fig tree prefers well-draining soil, ideally a sandy loam, enriched with organic matter. A slightly alkaline to neutral pH is best.
• Q: Can I grow this Violette de Bordeaux fig tree in a small space? A: Absolutely! Its naturally dwarf growth habit makes it an excellent choice for small gardens, patios, or as a container fig tree on a balcony, allowing you to enjoy fresh figs even with limited space.
• Q: How often should I water my newly planted fig tree starter plugs? A: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first few weeks after planting and during dry periods. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.