Fig Tree Lucky Berry

The Fig Tree ‘Lucky Berry’ is a recent variety, with a dwarf and compact habit, capable of producing delicious fruits rich in vitamins and minerals consistently for 4 months, from July to October. The small to medium-sized, pear-shaped figs with thin skin, turning reddish-purple when ripe, have a red, juicy, fairly firm and very sweet pulp containing numerous small seeds (achenes). They can be eaten fresh as soon as they are picked, or used in various recipes. If there are any fruits left at the end of the season, they can be frozen to enjoy their sweet taste in winter. Its architectural habit and small size are assets for this fig tree, which offers many possibilities for integration in the garden, whether planted in the ground or grown in a pot. Plant in autumn-winter, frost-free (or in spring for colder regions). It is not very susceptible to diseases and requires almost no maintenance.

Originally from regions with a warm temperate climate, ranging from the Mediterranean to Central Asia, the Fig Tree (Ficus carica) belongs to the Moraceae family. Generally, it does not exceed three to four metres in height and has a fairly twisted trunk and a bushy habit. The deciduous leaves are rough and hairy, reaching up to 25 cm in length, divided into three to seven crenate lobes of variable shape. The underside of the leaf is velvety and shows prominent veins. The stems, leaves, and fruits contain a white latex that can be irritating. The wood, with its grey and smooth bark, is soft, spongy, and hollow. The running roots of the fig tree are powerful.

Ficus carica ‘Lucky Berry’ is part of a very innovative selection of fruit plants, marketed under the Lucky Berry brand. It complements a range that includes a blueberry, a strawberry, a raspberry, and a blackberry. All have been selected for their long harvest periods with high yields of sweet and juicy fruits, on compact vegetation suitable for container cultivation, while also being resistant to winter and diseases. This fig tree variety forms a small bush, with a rounded and branched habit, reaching a height of 1 to 1.50 m and a spread of 1 to 1.30 m at maturity (7 to 10 years old).

Among all the fig tree varieties, the Fig Tree ‘Lucky Berry’ stands out for its abundant and regular production from July to October. This staggered fruiting ensures a harvest of delicious figs throughout the season. The harvest will be done in several stages, as the fruits ripen. It is a self-fertile and parthenocarpic variety, producing fruits without fertilisation. It does not require other fig tree plants and does not rely on the only pollinating insect of the fig tree, which is too sensitive to survive in cold climates.

Ripe and sun-drenched figs can be eaten fresh as they are, revealing their full flavour and smoothness. They can also enhance sweet dishes such as tarts, clafoutis, and compotes, as well as savoury dishes with goat cheese, cured ham, or foie gras, but also as an accompaniment to poultry or white meats. The delicate and pronounced flavour of figs can be enhanced with honey. They also pair well with sweet fruits such as cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, and grapes. Among fruits for making jam, figs have a prominent place with their delicate and rich taste and very sweet flavour. Figs are rich in fibre, have laxative properties and their seeds aid digestion. They are also rich in minerals (calcium, potassium), trace elements, and vitamin B. After harvest, it is not recommended to store them in the refrigerator to preserve their flavour as the skin can suffer from moisture and condensation.

The easy-to-grow, Lucky Berry Fig Tree thrives in ordinary soil, with a preference for fertile, well-drained, and moist soils, even those with limestone. Once established, it quickly becomes a magnificent ornamental plant for your garden. This low-growing variety can easily be grown in a pot, making it perfect for balconies and terraces, in a patio or urban garden. Plant the Lucky Berry Fig Tree against a wall to protect it from cold during harsh winters, with a south or southwest exposure, either as a standalone plant, integrated into a flower bed, within a rock garden, or simply alongside other Fruit trees for small gardens, to create a fruitful hedge. With its small size, it can be grown in the coldest regions in a container that can be brought indoors when the temperature drops below -10°C.