I pick figs mainly for taste IF they resist splitting in rain/humidity. Ronde de Bordeaux is the exception- I grow it on the chance every few years it will ripen during a dry spell. I’m not too concerned about production- Adriatic JH is a bit shy on production. I like complex taste so am drawn to descriptions of Campaniere, Hative d’ Argenteuil and Michurinska Green. My third criterion is ability to freeze to ground and produce a crop the same year so it helps to go heavy on early season producers, but the late season Adriatics are so good, I waive this third criterion. Regarding Violette de Bordeaux- I’m not sure it’s winter hardy in your 7A unless you give it a perfect spot- south exposure up against a building or similar. Two friends grow it here in 8A but in perfect spots. I won’t gamble on it.
At the fig tasting I went to, the early sugar figs that stood out to me were Hollier and Florea. I didn’t even know they were early ripening until I look it up.
My favorite from the tasting was “The One”. Don’t remember anything about it anymore except that it wowed me, my aunt, and the 2 other people that i was talking to right before we tried it. Forums say it has Celeste parentage but if I could grow just one variety out of the few that I’ve tasted, it would have to be “The One”. As a matter of fact, i plan on up-potting that one directly into a 15 gallon from my 4 inch pot 
if it was local, it ripened here in the pnw at the time of the fig tasting which was October 5th.
I’ve been told Green Michurinska is amazing as well and my friend sent me a cutting.
Also everyone of my new fb fig friends sent me cuttings of Smith because they said i had to have it 
I’ve read great things about it as well.
Angelito is also a great one but it’s kind of expensive. My friend sent me one as well for merely the price of shipping 
so i should have them to give away next year if i don’t accidentally kill it. I have 2 rooted cuttings of it not.
I have some pretty amazing friends on Facebook.
Based on everyone’s feedback maybe it’s best I grow the few varieties I’d like in pots for the first few years and only after evaluating, I’ll plant the ones that “earn” the spot. What do you think?
Famous last words. You’ll probably end up with about 30
@zone7a
First you need to master growing them to maturity. Then after you have some mature candidates you can begin to evaluate them. About 7 years from now you can make some decisions. But you cannot grow them in-ground in your location without a greenhouse overhead. Anything less is a waste of time and money.
I told myself i wanted a few varieties at well but then i fell into a bad group that sent me free cuttings 
now I have a closet full. Some rooting in the kitchen, at least 6 more cuttings in the mail…
Don’t fall into the wrong crowd 
Just kidding, it’s a great thing to collect
Not sure where you live but 7a doesn’t need a greenhouse if you pick cold-hardy varieties. Here’s what Tim Clymer grows mainly in ground at commercial Three Fold Farm in 6B Pennsylvania: Adriatic JH; Atreano, Dottato Nero, Florea, Hollier, Hunt, Improved Celeste, Izbat an Naj, Latarolla, LSU Tiger, Malta Black, Marseilles Black VS, Neri 1, Nero 600m, O’Rourke, Qalaat Al Madiq, Ronde de Bordeaux, Smith, Takoma Violet, Teramo.
I’m not a fig expert but Smith is questionable as winter hardy even in my 8A. I suspect Tim grows Smith in a greenhouse. I’d encourage you to plant in ground sooner rather than later- just do thorough research on your varieties. Here’s a fabulous link to help: file:///Users/Steve/Documents/FIGS/exc%20revised%20TOP%2015%20JREWHURST%202023%20What%20if%20I%20can%20STILL%20grow%20only%20N%20figs%20in%20the%20Northeast%20–%20Which%20should%20I%20choose%3F%22%20-%20Ourfigs.com.html
@hambone
He’s growing them for scionwood. He has laborious winter protection. The fruit quality is poor.
In my experience, he also has mislabeled plants (not just figs) and he knows better.
Thank you! I’m only a few blocks away from Ross Raddi, so I used his recommendations on hardiness. I’m sure a green house would improve the quality of the figs, but the one that blew my mind a few months ago was grown in a park in Philadelphia!
What is the current climate zone in that Philadelphia Park?
Hi Richard- Tim also sells fresh figs- I’ve bought some that were excellent. He sells a lot of fruit at his farm. His winter protection for in-ground trees is dumping one foot of mulch on center of tree at dormancy.
See if Ross will help you pick a few varieties to start in ground. Or Big Bill Lauris at Off The Beaten Path Nursery, Lancaster, PA
I second this recommendation. He’s a little less of a salesman than the other Ross
That’s how I started- I drove up OTBP and asked Bill to pick out 3 plants that spanned taste categories and seasons. He sold me Ronde de Bordeaux, Takoma Violet and Adriatic JH. I consider Bill THE expert on in-ground figs in Mid-Atlantic region. His customer service is fabulous.
39.9927158, -75.1874357 is the exact location of the tree (I think, it is spitting distance if not) 7b according to the most recent map, so it does receive less harsh winters than I will by a few degrees. I’m on the edge between 7a/7b, so I need to take into account hardiness more.
Here’s the fig (help me identify it ): Questions not deserving of a whole thread - #3762 by zone7a
Where are THE best fig festivals located?
I’ve seen different states gather and do tastings and such once or twice a year.
I’ve recently read about a big festival in the north eastern states but i forgot where exactly.
I disagree with him about the labels he’s put on plants (not just figs). He’s been told that his suppliers are misinformed or worse. It’s as if the demand for the names are keeping him in denial.
70 degrees - 75 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal temperature range for rooting figs, although they can do great in hotter. One year I rooted in a budget spring type of green house, and the day time temperatures reached 90s often during the day. Cooled down a lot during the day, I had a high success rate then, and fast rooting.