Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree

Ficus carica 'Violette de Bordeaux'

Nature Hills Nursery

Violette De Bordeaux Figs Deliver Rich, Sweet Flavor Twice Yearly in Compact Form
Heat Tolerant: Thrives in Zones 7-10
Fragrant Blooms in Late Spring
Moderate-Growing in Full Sun

$102⁸⁷

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This fig thrives in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct light daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, the fruit will be less sweet and the harvest will be much smaller without adequate sun.
Soil: Choose a spot with well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you are dealing with heavy clay, plant your tree in a raised mound or incorporate compost to ensure roots do not sit in stagnant water, which leads to rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years, water your fig tree deeply twice a week to help the roots settle into their new home. Once the tree is mature, it becomes quite drought tolerant, though you should maintain consistent moisture while the fruit is developing. Inconsistent watering often causes the figs to split open or drop from the branches before they are ripe.

Pruning Tips

Wait until late winter to prune while the tree is dormant and the branch structure is easy to see. This variety primarily produces fruit on new wood, so giving it a "haircut" in the winter encourages the fresh growth needed for a heavy harvest. Focus on removing any branches that grow toward the center of the tree to ensure sunlight and air can reach the middle for even ripening.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers in the late summer or fall because this triggers a flush of soft growth that will likely be killed by the first freeze. A single application at the start of the season provides all the fuel the tree needs to produce a healthy crop of dark, jammy figs.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Deer-resistant, Disease resistant, Edible, Fragrant, Self-pollinating
Hardiness Zone	7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	6-10 ft
Width	6-8 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Peaty
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Fig
Botanical Name	Ficus carica 'Violette de Bordeaux'
Species	carica
Cultivar	Violette de Bordeaux
Class	Rosales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Sweet Dwarf Violette De Bordeaux Fig Tree

Heirloom Variety Considered One of the Very Best
Sweet Figs with Rich Flavor
Excellent Fresh or Dried
Purple-Black Skin and Deep Red Strawberry Flesh
Closed Eye
Early Breba Crop
Main Crop in Fall
Stays Compact
Perfect for Container Culture or Small Spaces
Very Productive
Self Pollinating Variety
Low Maintenance
Great Choice for Coastal Areas
Deer and Pest Resistant

Delicious fresh figs twice a year? Yes, and you'll cherish the distinctive sweet, rich flavor. Store-bought figs never taste this good.

Grow your own Fig tree for the most delectable experience. It's easy with a natural dwarf tree-like Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree (Ficus carica 'Violette de Bordeaux').

You may hear this variety called the Negronne Fig, a historied variety that offers so much for the home gardener. Violette de Bordeaux is widely considered by experts as one of the very finest figs.

This productive variety boasts an irresistible fragrance and extremely flavorful small to medium-size fruit. Violette de Bordeaux has the darkest strawberry-red flesh of any fig.

Enjoy the fruit freshly picked or dried. Use it in gourmet recipes and impress your friends!

Violette de Bordeaux is a productive variety. You'll get two crops of juicy figs a year.

The early Breba crop comes in late spring and is borne on dormant buds from last year's old wood. New wood produces the main crop, which is harvested in fall.

Pick your ripe figs when the texture turns soft. Use a sharp pair of garden shears to snip through the stem. You can also hand-pick your crops with a gentle tug upward.

Exceptional Violette de Bordeaux performs well across a wide geographic area. It's blissfully resistant to pests and diseases.

With a closed eye, it easily tolerates high heat and humidity. You and your family will love the complex, candy-flavored taste of Violette de Bordeaux and this variety's endless possibilities.

Eat fresh picked right off the tree or spread ripe, high sugar fruit on toast for a fast and healthy breakfast. Some say it is the best jam they've ever had.

For a mouth-watering fish dinner, ditch the foil. Wrap the fish in fig leaves for cooking, instead. This will keep the fish juicy and give it a delicious, coconut flavor.

Gift yourself one or more Violette de Bordeaux natural dwarf tree and leverage it as an accent tree for a small space. It is by far one of the first choices for those desiring to grow a Fig in a container on a patio or deck.

Order your Violette de Bordeaux Fig tree ASAP.

People across the country are boosting their food security with backyard orchards. Our stock of low maintenance, hardy variety will not last long.

How to Use Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree in the Landscape

Take up one of the most productive hobbies that you can have. Grow your own figs for incredible flavor.

Fig trees are self-pollinating, so you'll just need one for fruit production. However, partner trees will definitely boost your productivity.

Save yourself time, and order several. After you taste your first homegrown fig, you'll be back for more trees. Trust us.

If you have the room, plant them in the ground. They'll provide a wonderful garden feature, with large, tropical-looking leaves and fragrant fruit.

Create a cute mini-Orchard by planting several trees ten feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

Make it easy, and use mulch between your trees. A three-inch layer will cut down on surface evaporation and keep the roots nice and cool. Pull mulch back six inches back from the trunk.

Grow this tree in outdoor containers on your deck or balcony. Today's food gardener is all about saving space with container culture and high-density planting techniques.

Use Violette de Bordeaux figs fresh for snacking, baking and cooking. How nice to know exactly what was sprayed on your tree, and when.

Funky, deeply lobed leaves hang on light gray branches. Keep the lowest branches on to let the lush, large foliage screen out ugly views for you.

Add them to your Kitchen Garden, or create an Edible Landscape. Grow one near your kitchen door to have fresh ingredients at hand for hors d'oeuvre, smoothies, tarts and more.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Violette de Bordeaux Fig grows best in full sun. Give it at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Morning sun is optimal, as it will quickly dry the foliage.

Prune in late spring and after the second crop in fall. Decide to grow it in a traditional goblet shape, or keep it as a shaggy, shrubby plant with lower branches.

When planting, take a bit of care with the sensitive roots. Gently place the root ball in the planting hole.

Apply an even amount of water on a regular basis. Consistency is key to avoid splitting fruit.

For container-grown fruit trees, add sharply drained soil mix. Over time, the roots become densely crowded. Study our YouTube channel to see how to improve the water penetration to the root ball. (Hint, you'll create channels through the soil and fill them with gravel.)

Figs are not a houseplant, and will need to go dormant for winter. In cold zones, bring your container Fig into an unheated garage or shed for winter protection.

Savor your homegrown fruit candy! Plant a naturally dwarfed, productive Violette de Bordeaux Fig and harvest two great-tasting crops a year.

Place your order for our expertly grown trees today!

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Fig tree

Excellent choice... fig tree has great shape, healthy when arrived(on time)!

We’re delighted your Violette de Bordeaux Fig reached you on time and already shows that classic squat shape and healthy foliage. Give your new fig a spot with eight hours of full sun, consistent moisture in well-drained soil, and a layer of mulch to moderate summer heat—methods recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife for top fruit quality. In cooler zones, wrapping the trunk with burlap the first winter helps figs establish faster. With a little balanced fertilizer in early spring and light pruning to maintain an open canopy, you’ll be enjoying those rich, honey-sweet fruits before you know it.
Rooting for your garden's success, Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Outstanding Selection and Service

The plants arrived in excellent and secure packaging looking well nourished and strong with ample foliage. It was easy to follow the included instructions in planting immediately. Thank you for everything.

Dear Ravi V.,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience! We’re thrilled to hear that your plants arrived in excellent condition and that the secure packaging and instructions made planting an easy and enjoyable process. Your kind words truly inspire our team to continue providing the best products and support possible.

If you ever have questions about plant care or need tips to keep your new greenery thriving, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help your garden flourish.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Outstanding Selection and Service

Dear Ravi V.,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback with us! We’re thrilled to hear that your plants arrived healthy and well-packaged, and that the planting instructions made the process easy and enjoyable. It’s always our goal to provide not only quality plants but also the support needed to help them thrive right from the start.

Should you ever need tips on watering schedules, pruning, or pest control as your garden grows, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help every step of the way.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Heavy fruit bearer

Great tree and bears heavily, twice. I am really impressed with Violette de Bordeaux.

Hello Beep,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Violette de Bordeaux fig tree! We're delighted to hear that it’s such a heavy fruit bearer for you — bearing twice and impressing is truly a sign of a thriving, healthy tree. To continue enjoying a productive fig harvest, remember to prune around early to mid-spring if needed and provide regular watering during dry spells. Also, if you haven’t yet, feeding your tree with a balanced fertilizer can encourage even richer crops in future seasons.

If you ever have questions about care or want tips on enjoying your fresh figs, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for trusting Nature Hills to improve your garden!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Heavy fruit bearer

Great tree and bears heavily, twice. I am really impressed with Violette de Bordeaux.

Hi Beep,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree! We're thrilled to hear that it’s bearing fruit so heavily and twice at that—that’s truly impressive and a testament to the care you’re giving your tree. These figs can be rewarding trees, and your success inspires us and fellow gardeners alike.

If you’re interested in helping your fig tree thrive even more, make sure it receives plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil. Regular watering, especially during dry spells, and occasional application of a balanced fertilizer can encourage sustained growth and fruitfulness. Don’t hesitate to check out our blog articles on fig care for more detailed tips and seasonal guidance.

Thanks again for your feedback—and happy harvesting!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do fiddle leaf fig trees produce fruit?

Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) are grown as houseplants and don't produce edible fruit indoors. Unlike fruiting fig varieties like Violette de Bordeaux that give two crops yearly, fiddle leaf figs are purely ornamental foliage plants.

Do fig trees grow fast?

Fig trees are moderate growers, typically adding 12-24 inches per year once established. The compact Violette de Bordeaux stays naturally small, making it perfect for containers. You'll see fruit production within 1-2 years, with two annual harvests. Shop at Nature Hills for this productive dwarf variety.

What planting zones is the Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree hardy in?

The Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree is hardy in USDA zones 7-10. This variety performs exceptionally well across a wide geographic range and tolerates high heat and humidity with its closed eye fruit. Plant in a protected location in zone 7 for best winter survival.

Does the Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree need full sun or can it tolerate partial shade?

Violette de Bordeaux Fig Trees perform best in full sun for optimal fruit production and sweetness. While they can tolerate some partial shade, full sun exposure of 6-8 hours daily will give you the richest flavor and highest yields for both your early Breba crop and main fall harvest.

How often should I water my newly planted Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree?

Water newly planted fig trees deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. Once established, these drought-tolerant trees need watering only during dry spells. Check soil moisture 2 inches down and water when dry, available at naturehills.com.

Are Violette de Bordeaux Fig Trees deer resistant?

Yes, Violette de Bordeaux Fig Trees are deer and pest resistant. This natural resistance makes them an excellent low-maintenance choice for areas with deer pressure. Plant them in your landscape with confidence, knowing you won't need fencing or deterrents to protect your harvest.

Can this fig tree survive winter temperatures below 10°F?

The Violette de Bordeaux fig tree is not cold hardy below 10°F and will suffer significant damage or death at those temperatures. This variety performs best in USDA zones 7-10 where winter lows stay above 10-15°F. In colder regions, grow it in a container so you can move it indoors for winter protection.

Does this fig variety require a pollinator or is it self-fertile?

Violette de Bordeaux is self-pollinating and requires no pollinator to produce fruit. This productive variety will give you two crops annually - an early Breba crop in late spring and the main harvest in fall. Plant just one tree and expect abundant figs both seasons.

Violette de Bordeaux Fig Tree

Ficus carica 'Violette de Bordeaux'