Re: "Hardy" FIgs
- Subject: Re: "Hardy" FIgs
- From: B* G*
- Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2002 03:50:43 -0700
theryans@xtra.co.nz writes:
>
>
>I have only once seen the definitely less hardy F elastica out of doors
>here and that was in the adjacent main valley, in a sheltered shrubbery
>where it had obviously been planted out when it outgrew its container.
>It was certainly not bushy, but had a single main stem about 8 feet high
>from which sprang a light spreading head of branches. It's fate is
>obscure as the garden was later extensively reorganized and it
>apparently disappeared in the makeover. There have also been a few
>extra-heavy frosts in the area over the years and it quite possibly
>perished in one of these (The area normally does not go below about -2 C
>and that not every year.) Botanica warns it has a very aggressive root
>system and should be sited with care..
>
>It seems one should only attempt one of these figs outside a container
>if one has plenty of spare garden space.
I've seen F. elastica growing in Southern California planted out in the
open. Of course there, they are less prone to severe freezes (well, even
here near Monterey, we hardly dip below 28 F most winters, and usually
drop not much below 25 F. in colder years).
It's interesting that most of the "hardy" figs that are sold seem to be
gargantuans (F. macrophylla, F. macrocarpa), or have an agressive nature
(F. elastica's roots, and F. macrophylla as a strangler). I guess that's
what makes this family successful in their homelands. Being agressive in
highly competitive ecosystems helps one to survive (and with stranglers at
the expense of another organism).
My interest lies mainly in people's experiences with them. If I had
several acres in a warm site, i'd plant one of the larger ones :).
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