Fig tree 'Hardy Chicago' – Pot 4" (6–18")

'Hardy Chicago' Fig Tree

'Hardy Chicago' is one of the best-known fig varieties for its good cold tolerance. In a sheltered location, it can be planted directly in the ground in the milder areas of Canada, or grown in a pot for maximum safety.

• Fruit & flavour: brown-purple figs with red flesh, sweet and tasty.
• Habit & size: bushy shrub that can reach 2–3 m in protected soil; easily contained in a pot.
• Uses: table fruit, cooking, drying.
• Relative hardiness: often cited as very hardy; however, it requires serious winter protection in Quebec.
• Format received: young plant in a 4" pot.

Care sheet – Culture in Canada

• Light: full, gentle sunlight (outdoors in summer) or a very bright window; the more light it receives, the better the fruiting will be.
• Watering: water thoroughly then allow the top of the soil to dry out before repeating; fig trees do not like to have their roots constantly waterlogged.
• Substrate: well-draining mix (ProMix HP type or potting soil with perlite) in a pot with drainage hole.
• Fertilizer: light but regular fertilization in spring and summer (balanced fertilizer or for fruit).
• Pot culture: ideal in Quebec; gradually repot into a larger pot over the years.
• Wintering: bring indoors before the first frosts; overwinter in a cool greenhouse, frost-free garage or bright room between 0 and 10 °C, with very spaced-out watering.
• Pruning: possible in late winter or early spring to limit height and promote branching.