Fig Trees

As The Fruits Swell And Darken In Late Summer, A Fig Tree Feels Like A Secret Treat — Ripe, Rich, And Almost Too Good To Waste.

Big Leaves, Bold Structure, Instant Presence

A fig tree has a way of making a garden feel “done” almost overnight. The leaves are large and deeply lobed, so even when the tree is still young it looks dramatic and full of character. In a mixed border it adds a completely different texture from most shrubs, and in a courtyard or patio planting it becomes a real focal point — architectural without being cold. If you’re after a plant that brings shade, shape and a touch of Mediterranean spirit to an ordinary UK corner, fig is one of the most rewarding trees you can grow.

Big Leaves, Bold Structure, Instant Presence
Sweet Fruit From A Sunny Spot
Tough, Adaptable, And Surprisingly Garden-Friendly

Fig Trees at a Glance:

Common name: Fig tree.

Latin name: Ficus carica.

Size in UK gardens: Often 2–4m, depending on variety and how it’s grown; can be kept smaller with pruning and root restriction.

Best position: Full sun, ideally against a warm, sheltered south or west-facing wall.

Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poorer soils if drainage is good.

Main interest: Bold foliage and edible figs (ripening late summer into autumn in good years).

Fragrance: Usually not noticeably scented.

Hardiness: Generally hardy in milder UK areas once established, but young plants benefit from shelter in cold spells.

Care level: Moderate – straightforward, but position and root control make a big difference to fruiting.

Sun & Shelter Advice for Fig Trees:

☀️ Best light: Fig trees love full sun. The more warmth and light you can give, the better the growth and the better the chance of fruit ripening properly.

☀️ Shelter and walls: A wall is a fig’s best friend in the UK. In Cambridgeshire and across East Anglia, a sunny brick wall gives extra warmth, cuts wind, and helps the tree build up the heat it needs to mature fruit.

☀️ What to avoid: Avoid cold, exposed sites where wind strips leaves and chills the tree, and avoid deep shade where growth becomes thin and fruit is unlikely to ripen. Very wet ground in winter is also best avoided.

☀️ Where to plant: Tuck a fig into a bright courtyard, by a sunny patio, or against a warm boundary wall where you’ll see those beautiful leaves up close. It’s also ideal near seating, where the foliage creates a sheltered, leafy feel.

Soil Requirements for Fig Trees:

🪏 Preferred soil type: Figs do best in well-drained soil that warms up quickly in spring. They’re not fussy about richness, but they really dislike sitting in waterlogged ground through winter.

🪏 Soil pH and health: They tolerate a wide range, from neutral to slightly alkaline, as long as structure is good. Yellowing leaves or weak growth usually points to cold, wet roots or a lack of sun rather than a complicated nutrient issue.

🪏 Improving tricky spots: Heavy clay or very light soils both benefit from preparation.

• On clay, dig in well-rotted compost and a little grit to improve structure and drainage, and consider planting slightly raised so winter water drains away.

• On thin, sandy or rubble-rich soils, add plenty of organic matter to hold moisture in summer, or grow the fig in a large container with a free-draining compost mix if the ground is very poor.

Fig Tree Hardiness:

🍃 General hardiness: Once established, figs are hardy in many UK gardens, especially in sheltered spots, and they’ll usually come through winter ready to push fresh leaves in late spring.

🍃 Cold and foliage damage: In hard frosts, young growth and twig tips can be damaged, and very cold spells may cause some dieback. Most established trees recover well, especially if they’re in a warm position.

🍃 In cooler or exposed spots: A little extra care helps figs cope in harsher gardens.

• Choose the warmest, most sheltered position you can.

• Mulch the base in autumn to protect roots and improve soil.

• Use fleece on young plants during the coldest spells, especially if they’re not yet well established.

Garden Uses for Fig Trees:

Bold Foliage For Courtyards And Patios: Fig leaves bring instant drama and a lush, summery feel, making the tree perfect for courtyards, gravel gardens, and sunny seating areas.

Against Warm Walls For Ripening Fruit: Training a fig on a south or west-facing wall is the classic UK approach. The wall stores heat and makes fruiting much more reliable.

Soft Shade With A Mediterranean Mood: In summer, a fig’s canopy creates dappled shade that feels cooler and more relaxed, especially near a bench or table.

Structural Interest In Mixed Borders: The big leaves and strong branches sit beautifully behind perennials and grasses, adding a different texture and a sense of permanence.

In Large Pots For Controlled Growth: Figs are excellent in large containers, which helps keep growth compact and encourages fruiting. A pot by a sunny wall can be a real showpiece.

Wildlife Benefits of Fig Trees:

🐝 Sheltered Micro-Climate For Garden Life: The broad leaves create shade and shelter, which many small insects use as cover in sunny, breezy gardens. It’s not a nectar-heavy plant, but it supports the quiet “background life” of the garden.

🐦‍⬛ Perches And Cover In Leafy Growth: Once in leaf, a fig provides good cover for small birds moving through the garden. The branching offers perches, especially near fences and walls.

🕷 Leaf Litter And Hidden Corners: The base of a fig — with mulch, fallen leaves and sheltered soil — can become a useful refuge for beetles, spiders and other mini-beasts that help keep a garden balanced.

Our Team!

Grown Locally By Us.

Rather than travelling halfway across Europe, our mimosa trees are grown on site by the Simpson’s team. They’re toughened to local conditions, properly potted, and ready to get growing the moment you plant them.

Fig Tree Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As container-grown plants, figs can be planted in most months when the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged; spring and early autumn are usually easiest.

Watering: Water well in the first 1–2 seasons and during dry spells; wall-grown figs can be surprisingly thirsty because rain often misses the root zone.

Feeding: A spring mulch is usually enough; avoid over-rich feeding, which can encourage lots of leaf at the expense of fruit.

Pruning: Light shaping and training keeps it tidy; pruning is often about encouraging fruiting wood and maintaining size.

Winter: Usually fine once established in a sheltered spot, but young plants appreciate a mulch and occasional fleece in hard frosts.

How to Plant an Fig Tree:

1. Prepare the hole: Dig a hole slightly deeper than the pot and about twice as wide, choosing the sunniest, most sheltered spot you have, ideally near a warm wall.

2. Loosen the soil: Fork over the base and sides so roots can spread into the surrounding ground rather than sitting in a compacted pocket.

3. Improve poor or heavy soil: Mix in well-rotted compost; add grit if drainage is slow. If your soil is wet in winter, plant slightly raised and consider creating a contained planting area to restrict roots.

4. Set the plant in place: Slide the fig from its pot and tease out any tight roots. Set it at the same depth as it was in the pot, keeping it upright and positioned for training if it’s near a wall.

5. Backfill and firm: Backfill with your improved soil and firm gently so the tree is stable without compacting the ground too hard.

6. Support if required: If you’re training against a wall, add wires and tie in young shoots loosely. In open spots, a short stake can help prevent rocking while roots establish.

7. Water and mulch: Water thoroughly to settle the soil, then mulch around the base, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

8. Aftercare in the first season: Check moisture regularly, especially in sunny wall positions, and water deeply when the soil begins to dry. Keep weeds down so the fig isn’t competing for water.

Watering & Feeding Fig Trees:

💧 Establishing young plants: Water deeply whenever the top few centimetres of soil begin to dry. In the first season, consistent moisture helps the tree settle and prevents stress that can slow growth.

💧 Once established: Figs are quite resilient, but they fruit best when they aren’t repeatedly drought-stressed. In prolonged dry spells, a deep soak keeps leaves fresh and helps fruit swell.

💧 Deep vs light watering: Aim for deep, occasional watering rather than frequent little splashes. It encourages roots to go down and makes the tree more stable and self-sufficient.

💧 Feeding routine: Mulch in spring with compost or well-rotted manure, and use a light balanced feed if growth is weak. Too much feeding can push lots of leafy growth and reduce fruiting.

🪴 Plants in pots: Container figs need regular watering in summer and will need feeding more often, as nutrients wash out with watering. Use a large pot with excellent drainage, feed lightly in spring and early summer, and don’t let compost bake dry for long periods.

Pruning Advice for Fig Trees:

✂️ Natural habit: Fig trees naturally make a spreading, branching shape with bold leaves. Without guidance they can become a bit sprawling, so light shaping and training helps keep them neat and productive.

✂️ Best time to prune: Many gardeners prune figs in late winter or early spring, once the worst cold has passed, with some summer pinching to encourage fruiting. Avoid heavy cuts in late autumn when cold can follow.

✂️ What to remove: Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches, and thin any congested growth to let light and air through. If wall-trained, focus on building a tidy framework and tying in young shoots.

✂️ Keeping it young and tidy: Pinch back the tips of new shoots in summer after a set number of leaves to encourage fruiting rather than endless extension. Every few years, a little selective thinning keeps the tree open, manageable, and full of healthy, productive wood.

Winter Protection Tips for Fig Trees:

❄️ Typical winters: In a normal UK winter, established figs usually cope well, especially against a warm wall. They’re deciduous, so they rest quietly and then leaf out later in spring once warmth returns.

❄️ Colder or exposed spots: Young figs can be checked by hard frosts and cold winds. Mulch the base, choose shelter, and use fleece on very cold nights if the plant is still small or newly planted.

🪴 Plants in pots:

• Move pots into a sheltered corner near the house in hard frosts.

• Wrap the pot to protect roots from repeated freezing and thawing.

• Check drainage holes so containers don’t sit in cold, waterlogged compost, and water sparingly through winter.

Fig Tree Pests & Diseases:

🌱 General health: Fig trees are generally robust in the UK when given sun and drainage. Most issues are linked to poor positioning — cold shade, exposed wind, or wet roots — rather than persistent pests.

🪲 Common minor pests: In warm, sheltered spots you may occasionally see scale insects or mites. Healthy plants usually cope; small outbreaks can be wiped off, washed away, or reduced by removing badly affected growth.

🍂 Disease risks: Problems are uncommon, but damp, airless conditions can encourage leaf blemishes, and poor drainage can lead to root stress. Keeping the tree in sun with good airflow prevents most trouble.

🍂 Normal vs worrying changes: Some leaf browning at the edges can happen in drought or windy weather, and leaf drop in autumn is normal. More concerning signs include repeated dieback, poor leafing in late spring, or a sour smell and collapse at the base — often pointing to waterlogged roots.

🌱 Simple prevention: Plant in sun, prioritise drainage, mulch to support soil health, and water deeply in dry spells rather than little-and-often. A well-sited fig is usually a very easy tree to live with.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Acer campestre

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

Acer campestre 'Queen Elizabeth'

Acer campestre 'Carnival'

Frequently Asked Questions

They can, but the secret is warmth. In much of the UK, the most reliable figs are grown against a sunny south or west-facing wall, where the tree soaks up heat and the fruit has a better chance of ripening by late summer or early autumn. Some years are simply better than others, and that’s normal. Even when fruiting is lighter, you still get the bold foliage and beautiful shape. Choose a proven variety, give it a warm position, and you’ll stack the odds strongly in your favour.

Yes — it often helps. Fig trees can put a lot of energy into leafy growth if their roots have endless room, which can mean fewer figs. Root restriction encourages the tree to settle and focus on fruit. In UK gardens this is commonly done by planting into a lined pit, a raised bed with a barrier, or simply growing in a large container. The goal isn’t to starve the tree, but to gently limit its root run. With good watering and a spring mulch, it stays healthy and often fruits better.

Absolutely, and it’s one of the best options for smaller gardens. A large pot keeps the tree compact and makes it easier to give it the warmest spot — right by a sunny wall, for example. The trade-off is watering: pots dry out quickly in summer, so you’ll need to water more regularly and feed lightly in spring and early summer. Choose a sturdy container with excellent drainage, and don’t let the compost swing between baking dry and soggy. Done well, potted figs look superb and can crop beautifully.

Think of pruning as guiding rather than hacking. Many figs benefit from a light prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead or crossing branches and keeping the shape open. For fruiting, summer pinching is often useful: trimming back overly long new shoots encourages the tree to concentrate on developing fruit rather than endless extension. If you’re wall-training, focus on building a tidy framework and tying in young growth. Keep cuts sensible, avoid heavy pruning late in the year, and the tree will usually respond well.

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