Ficus 'Brown Turkey' is "the" name in American figs, thanks in large part to its exceptional winter hardiness in Zones 6 and 7. This handsome, heavy bearing, spreading tree is compact enough for a container, which can be brought indoors north of its hardiness range. And with each passing year, this fig tree grows more beautiful in bark, leaf, and silhouette.
But most of all, 'Brown Turkey' is a fig producer. The fruit emerges as tiny green nubs beneath the leaves in early to midsummer, growing larger and ripening in fall. Expect big crops of 4-inch fruit, deep bronze on the outside and rich amber with hints of pink on the inside. The flesh is succulent, sweet, and tender. Birds adore it, and you will too. And this fig is self-pollinating, so you need plant only one. So, whether you want to put figs on your table or simply to attract birds, 'Brown Turkey' delivers.
This tree reaches 10 to 30 feet high and wide, with smooth bark that grows more ornamental over time. The bare silhouette in winter is very pleasing, and the foliage even more so. The large, hand-shaped leaves, nearly a foot long and wide, cast elegant shadows on the ground and offer a nice contrast to other plants in the garden.
Find a sunny place for 'Brown Turkey' in all but the warmest climates, where it appreciates a bit of afternoon shade or dappled sunlight. Very low maintenance, 'Brown Turkey' needs only good soil drainage plus plenty of water and sun to thrive for many decades.
