Chicago Hardy Fig
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Fast (2 ft/year)
- Full Sun
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Georgia grown & ready to plant
Secure checkoutLicensed & insured installation crew
About Chicago Hardy Fig
Chicago Hardy Fig earned its name from surviving winters far colder than Georgia typically sees, even dying back to the ground in severe cold and still resprouting to produce a late-summer-through-fall crop of sweet, medium-sized purplish-brown figs the same season. This exceptional cold hardiness makes it essentially foolproof in Zone 8a, where it rarely if ever experiences the dieback that occasionally affects less hardy fig varieties. It is self-fruitful and needs no second tree for pollination. It grows fast, about 2 feet per year, to a manageable 8-10 feet tall and wide, and tolerates Georgia's clay soil and summer heat with minimal care once established. Because even a hard freeze that kills the top growth won't stop it from fruiting that same year (new growth from the roots still produces a crop by late summer), Chicago Hardy Fig is an especially low-risk choice for gardeners in colder microclimates or those wanting insurance against an unusually severe Georgia winter.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 8-10 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 8-10 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate — consistent moisture, especially during fruit development |
| Bloom Season | N/A (fruits without pollination); harvest late summer through fall |
| Growth Rate | Fast (2 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | No |
| Pet Safe | Check with a vet |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Chicago Hardy Fig in full sun in well-drained soil with modest amendment for Georgia clay. Water consistently through summer fruit development. Mulch heavily around the base for winter protection, though this variety tolerates cold well even without extensive winter protection. Prune out any winter-damaged wood in late winter; the plant reliably resprouts and fruits the same season regardless. Check soil moisture regularly through the growing season, since Georgia's summer heat can dry out beds faster than expected, and inconsistent moisture is the most common cause of poor performance.
Fast Facts
- Exceptionally cold hardy fig variety, resprouts even after severe freezes
- Self-fruitful — no second tree needed
- Harvest late summer through fall
- Mature size: 8-10 ft tall and wide
- Fast growth: about 2 ft per year
- Reliable fruiting even after a hard winter freeze damages top growth
Pairs Well With
Chicago Hardy Fig FAQs
Will Chicago Hardy Fig survive a hard Georgia freeze?
Yes, Chicago Hardy Fig is exceptionally cold tolerant and will survive Georgia winters reliably; even in the rare event of severe dieback from an unusually hard freeze, the roots resprout vigorously and the plant still produces a fruit crop that same growing season. This makes it one of the lowest-risk fig varieties for Zone 8a.
Do deer eat Chicago Hardy Fig?
Yes, Chicago Hardy Fig is not considered deer resistant and can be browsed by deer, especially newly planted specimens. In Gwinnett County areas with heavy deer pressure, fencing or repellent application is worth considering until the plant is well established.