Fig Tree - 'Ronde de Bordeaux' (Ficus carica)

If you are looking for a fig tree that you can completely rely on in Central European climates, 'Ronde de Bordeaux' is undoubtedly a top-tier choice. This French classic perfectly blends an elegant appearance with extraordinary winter hardiness. It is the go-to option for growers who want a hassle-free plant that consistently delivers a bountiful harvest of small, dark purple figs bursting with the flavor of sweet forest berries.

Origin and Adaptability: The roots of this heritage variety trace back to the renowned French wine region of Aquitaine (Bordeaux). It is widely known among enthusiasts as RdB or Round of Bordeaux. Its centuries-old presence in this region proves its remarkable ability to adapt to fluctuating weather conditions. Growers across Europe highly value this variety for its incredible vitality and its ability to regenerate exceptionally fast, even after a harsh winter.

Why this variety is so popular:

• Exceptional Cold Tolerance: The mature wood of older plants can easily withstand drops down to -17 °C (1.4 °F), and the tree recovers rapidly from any winter damage.
• Very Early Ripening: The main crop starts ripening as early as August, making it an ideal choice for regions with shorter summers.
• Gourmet Flavor: The intensely sweet fruits taste remarkably like concentrated blackberry jam.
• Reliable Yields: As a self-fertile variety, it guarantees a rich and heavy crop every single year.
• Outstanding Health: The tree is highly vigorous, strong, and generally free from diseases.

Detailed Plant Characteristics

Growth and Habit

• Vigor: This tree or shrub is incredibly energetic and strong. When planted in the ground, it typically reaches 3.5 to 4 meters in height, though it can grow even larger under optimal conditions.
• Ornamental Value and Pruning: With its lush and dense foliage, it is a highly decorative addition to any garden. To keep its vigorous growth in check, it responds very well to a thinning prune in the spring.

Fruit Profile

• Size and Shape: The figs are on the smaller to medium side, weighing between 35 and 45 grams. True to its name ("Ronde"), the shape is perfectly round.
• Skin: The skin is thin and features a captivating dark purple to blue-black color, often coated with a delicate, attractive waxy bloom.
• Flesh: The interior is deep red with an incredibly dense, thick, and jammy texture.
• Taste and Aroma: The sweetness is highly concentrated. The flavor profile is dominated by refreshing notes of dark berries, with strong nuances of blackberries and blackcurrants.

Cultivation and Care

• Fruiting Type: 'Ronde de Bordeaux' is a Unifère variety. It does not produce an early summer (breba) crop, putting all its energy into a single, massive autumn harvest on new wood.
• Harvest Time (Key Advantage): It ripens early, from the beginning of August through September. Being one of the earliest ripening main-crop figs ensures that all fruits can safely mature before the first frost, even in cooler foothill locations.
• Pollination: Belonging to the Adriatic botanical group, this variety is parthenocarpic (self-fertile) and does not require the fig wasp to produce fruit.
• Planting and Wintering: It is recommended to plant 2 to 3-year-old trees in open ground. While cold hardy to -17 °C, it is crucial to protect the trunk and canopy with agricultural fleece in colder areas until the trunk reaches a thickness of 6 to 7 cm.
• Disease Resistance: The plant is extremely healthy, repels common pests, and shows excellent resistance to both leaf and wood diseases.

Drawbacks of the Variety:

• No Summer Crop: Being a Unifère type, it only yields once a year (no early breba figs).
• Smaller Size: The fruits (35 – 45 g) are relatively small compared to some other popular varieties.
• Requires Space: Because of its highly vigorous growth, it demands either plenty of space in the garden or regular maintenance pruning.