10 Olympian Fig Tree Starter Plants – Cold Hardy Sweet Purple Fig Fruit Trees – Bare Root

Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with these 10 Olympian fig tree starter plants. Renowned for their exceptional cold hardiness and delicious fruit, these fig trees are an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. The ‘Olympian’ fig, scientifically known as Ficus carica ‘Olympian’, is a highly acclaimed variety, even winning the Retailers’ Choice Award at the 2014 FarWest Show. Each order includes 10 Olympian fig tree starter plants shipped as robust bare root specimens, ready to be planted directly into your garden. These plants are celebrated for their ability to produce an abundance of very sweet, large figs with thin purple skin and vibrant red to violet flesh, making them a true culinary delight. Whether you’re looking to establish a small home orchard or add a unique fruiting specimen to your landscape, these trees promise a bountiful harvest of exquisite figs.

These particular bare root fig plants are chosen for their vigor and proven adaptability, especially in cooler climates. They are a reliable addition to gardens in a wide range of USDA zones, ensuring a successful growing experience. The ‘Olympian’ fig is a self-pollinating variety, meaning you only need one tree to get a crop, simplifying the planting process and maximizing your yield. Prepare to enjoy fresh, organic figs straight from your backyard with these easy-to-grow and highly productive starter plants.

Key Benefits

Growing the ‘Olympian’ fig offers numerous advantages for the home gardener, blending aesthetic appeal with practical benefits. These trees provide not only fresh, delectable fruit but also contribute to a vibrant garden ecosystem. Here are some of the key benefits you’ll enjoy with your Olympian fig tree starter plants:

• Exceptional Cold Hardiness: Proven to be extremely hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 6-10. This makes them suitable for a broader range of climates where other fig varieties might struggle, ensuring a reliable harvest even after colder winters.
• Delicious Sweet Fruit: Produces large, incredibly sweet figs with an appealing thin purple skin and striking red to violet flesh. These figs are perfect for fresh eating, jams, preserves, or baking.
• Self-Pollinating Variety: As a self-fertile tree, it does not require a second fig tree for pollination, simplifying cultivation and guaranteeing fruit production from a single plant.
• Reliable & Productive: Known for its consistent and abundant yields, providing a generous supply of figs year after year. This variety is a dependable choice for a fruitful harvest.
• Versatile Growth Habit: Can be grown as a bush or trained as a small tree, adapting well to various garden sizes and styles. Its moderate size makes it suitable for many home garden settings.
• Award-Winning Performance: Recognized for its outstanding qualities, including winning the Retailers’ Choice Award, highlighting its superior characteristics and popularity among growers.
• Organic Home Cultivation: Grow your own fresh, organic fruit free from commercial pesticides, offering a healthy and sustainable food source right in your backyard. Enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own sweet purple fig fruit.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Olympian fig tree starter plants is relatively straightforward, making them a rewarding addition to any garden. These robust plants are quite forgiving, but providing optimal conditions will ensure the best possible growth and fruit production. When planting your bare root fig trees, choose a location with ample sunlight. Fig trees thrive in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. While they can tolerate partial sun, more sun generally leads to sweeter and more abundant fruit. Ensure the planting site has well-draining soil, as figs do not like wet feet. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and fertility.

Watering is crucial, especially during the first year after planting and during dry spells. Water deeply and regularly, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Once established, fig trees are relatively drought-tolerant but will produce better fruit with consistent moisture. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer, or use a fertilizer formulated for fruit trees. Avoid over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizers, as this can promote leafy growth at the expense of fruit production. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and shape the tree to maintain an open structure for good air circulation and sunlight penetration. Protecting young trees from harsh winter winds in colder zones can help ensure their survival and future productivity. This cold hardy fig tree is resilient, but a little care goes a long way.

Size & Details

Each order includes 10 Olympian fig tree starter plants, which are shipped as healthy bare root specimens. This means they arrive without soil or a pot, allowing for easier transport and planting. Upon establishment, these fig trees typically grow to a height of 4-8 feet, making them a manageable size for most home gardens. Their growth rate is moderate, allowing them to establish quickly and begin producing fruit within a few years. The ‘Olympian’ fig is hardy in USDA Zones 6-10, demonstrating its excellent resilience to varying temperatures. These trees are known for their consistent production of large, flavorful fruit. When fully mature, the trees will yield numerous figs, each boasting a sweet taste and a beautiful purple skin with a deep red interior. Expect a bountiful harvest, typically from late summer to fall, once the trees reach maturity.

The form factor of these bare root fig plants makes them ideal for direct planting into your garden beds or larger containers. While they are cold hardy, providing winter protection in the colder end of their zone range (Zone 6) can further enhance their performance and ensure continued vigor. With proper care, these fig trees will become a long-lasting and productive feature in your garden, providing fresh sweet purple fig fruit for many seasons to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Olympian fig tree starter plants get? A: These fig trees typically reach a mature height of 4-8 feet, making them suitable for most home gardens. Their spread can be similar, depending on pruning and growing conditions.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: These are shipped as bare root plants, meaning they do not come in pots or with soil. They are ready for immediate planting upon arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Olympian fig tree starter plants are primarily outdoor plants, thriving in garden settings. In colder climates (Zone 6), they may benefit from winter protection or can be grown in large containers and moved indoors during the harshest months.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For optimal growth and fruit production, these fig trees require full sun, which means at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They can tolerate partial sun, but fruit yield may be reduced.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the ‘Olympian’ fig is considered a relatively easy-to-care-for plant, especially given its cold hardiness and self-pollinating nature. It’s a great choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance fruit tree.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your bare root fig plants will arrive dormant and without soil or a pot, carefully packaged to ensure their health during transit. They should be planted as soon as possible after arrival.
• Q: Can I use the figs in cooking? A: Absolutely! The sweet purple fig fruit from these trees is excellent for fresh eating, as well as for making jams, preserves, pies, and other baked goods. Its rich flavor is highly versatile.
• Q: How long until it blooms or produces fruit? A: Fig trees typically begin to produce fruit within 2-3 years after planting, depending on growing conditions and care. Expect a more significant harvest as the tree matures.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these fig trees? A: The best time to plant bare root fig trees is in early spring, after the last threat of frost, allowing them ample time to establish before the summer heat.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This is a cold hardy fig tree, proven hardy in USDA Zones 6-10. In Zone 6, providing winter protection, such as mulching heavily or wrapping the trunk, is recommended for best results.