The figs are a huge genus of plant with over 800 species world wide. The vast majority are not hardy in the UK. Ficus carica Madeleine des Deux Saisons is rare in production in the UK. An ancient fruiting variety from France it dates back to  Versailles in the reign of Louis IV.   It is particularly hardy and remains a worthy garden variety. Delicate pink coloured flesh and an exceptionally sweet flavour, the fruits are delicious eaten freshly picked. Literally translated as Madeleine of Two Seasons, this productive variety produces two crops per season during hot UK summers and if protected over winter, the second crop will ripen early during the following summer. It is a handsome architectural plant with large palmate leaves. It can be grown outside in most of the UK.   Best grown against a south facing wall preferably with the branches trained along the wall. If you are primarily interested in fruit, then you should plant in a very sunny location and try to harshly restrict the spread of the roots. In Victorian times figs were in great demand for their fruit and often the gardeners would sink an old galvanised water tank into the ground with the top just below soil level fill with soil and plant the Fig inside the tank. Any container will do as long as it drains easily as Figs do not like to be waterlogged! If you prefer the architectural look of the foliage then for best effect allow the roots free rein and plant in a shady location. Figs are suitable for a pot or other container. If you like figs it is a labour worth the effort as a well cared for plant of a good size will produce abundant fruit. Use a good quality John Innes compost as this plant will be there a long time and peaty types of compost eventually degrade become too packed and choke the roots. Ensure you prune and feed regularly as a hungry plant is a poor performer. We recommend Osmoscote pro 8-9 month applied in the early spring.
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