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    Fig Mrs Williams

    Fig Mrs Williams

    $40.00
    $40.00
    Sale Sold out
    Taxes included.
    Pot Size/Grade

    Fig 'Mrs Williams' (Ficus carica 'Mrs Williams') is a productive deciduous fruit tree known for its large, sweet figs with dark brown to purple skin and delicious amber to rich red flesh.

    Considered one of the earlier-cropping fig varieties, Mrs Williams is an excellent choice for home gardeners wanting to grow their own figs, particularly in areas where the growing season is a little shorter.

    The fruit is beautifully sweet and juicy when fully ripe, making it perfect for eating fresh, adding to salads, baking, preserving or drying.

    And the best part? Mrs Williams is self-fertile, meaning you only need one tree to produce fruit.

    With its large, deeply lobed leaves and naturally spreading habit, this fig also makes an attractive ornamental tree, providing summer shade and a Mediterranean feel to the garden.

    Beautiful foliage, delicious fruit and relatively straightforward maintenance. What's not to like?

    Why You'll Love Fig 'Mrs Williams'

    • Large, sweet and juicy figs

    • Dark brown to purple fruit with amber to rich red flesh

    • One of the earlier-cropping fig varieties

    • Self-fertile – no pollinator required

    • Potential for two crops in favourable climates

    • Excellent for fresh eating, preserving and drying

    • Attractive, large, deeply lobed foliage

    • Deciduous, allowing winter sunlight into the garden

    • Can be grown as a tree, espalier or large container specimen

    • Good tolerance of dry conditions once established

    • Relatively low maintenance

    • Excellent for home orchards and edible gardens

    • Expected 5 Year Height 3.0 M Width 3.0 M

    Is Fig Mrs Williams suitable for my garden?

    Fig Mrs Williams is best suited in a position that gets

    • Full sun

    Fig Mrs Williams is

    • Drought resistant once established
    • Self-fertile
    • Frost Tolerant
    • Deciduous
    • Cold hardy

    Fig Mrs Williams will thrive in soil that is

    • Nutrient rich
    • Free draining

    How to establish your Fig Mrs Williams?

    Plant Fig 'Mrs Williams' in full sun.

    Figs need warmth and plenty of sunlight to develop sweet fruit and ripen successfully.

    For Canterbury gardens, choose a position that provides:

    At least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight

    Protection from strong nor'west winds

    Good air circulation

    Free-draining soil

    A warm microclimate

    A north-facing position near a brick wall, fence or sheltered courtyard can be particularly useful in cooler regions.

    The additional warmth can help fruit ripen earlier and improve overall cropping.

    How to maintain your Fig Mrs Williams once established?

    Newly planted fig trees: Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season.

    Consistent watering encourages a strong root system and helps the tree establish.

    Established fig trees: Figs become reasonably drought tolerant once established, but benefit from additional watering during prolonged dry periods and while fruit is developing.

    Irregular watering can contribute to fruit splitting or premature fruit drop.

    Aim for reasonably consistent soil moisture rather than allowing the tree to become extremely dry before giving it a large amount of water.

    Apply organic mulch around the base of the tree to:

    Retain soil moisture

    Suppress weeds

    Moderate soil temperature

    Improve soil structure

    Reduce competition from grass

    Keep mulch away from direct contact with the trunk.

    Figs generally don't require heavy feeding.

    Apply a modest amount of balanced fruit tree fertiliser in spring if growth is poor or the soil is low in nutrients.

    Avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser.

    Too much nitrogen can encourage vigorous leafy growth at the expense of fruit production.

    You want a productive fig tree, not an enormous collection of leaves.

    Mrs Williams can develop into a substantial spreading tree if left unpruned.

    Regular pruning helps:

    Maintain a manageable height

    Encourage an open canopy

    Improve sunlight penetration

    Make harvesting easier

    Remove dead or damaged branches

    Control excessive growth

    When to prune: Carry out structural pruning during winter dormancy, avoiding periods of severe frost.

    Remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, and maintain an open framework.

    Light summer pruning can also help manage vigorous shoots and improve light penetration.

    Important: Don't Remove All the Fruiting Wood

    Some figs produce an early crop on wood grown during the previous season.

    Because Mrs Williams can produce an early crop, excessive winter pruning may remove the branches carrying those developing figs.

    If you're hoping for an early summer harvest, preserve some healthy one-year-old wood.

    A little thought before attacking it with the secateurs can make a considerable difference to your harvest.

    Established fig trees tolerate winter cold reasonably well while dormant.

    However, young trees, emerging spring shoots and developing fruit are more vulnerable to frost damage.

    For Canterbury gardens:

    Plant in a warm, sheltered position.

    Protect young trees during severe frosts.

    Avoid frost hollows where possible.

    Delay major pruning until the coldest weather has passed if severe frosts are expected.

    Late spring frosts can damage new growth and reduce cropping.

    Canterbury Nor'westers

    Figs enjoy warmth, but hot, drying nor'west winds can cause problems, particularly while trees are establishing.

    During prolonged dry weather:

    Water deeply.

    Maintain mulch.

    Protect young trees from severe wind exposure.

    Check container-grown plants regularly.

    Established trees are considerably more resilient, but adequate moisture during fruit development helps produce better-quality figs.

    Figs are generally relatively trouble-free.

    Occasional problems include:

    Birds eating ripe fruit

    Wasps attracted to damaged or overripe figs

    Scale insects

    Root problems in poorly drained soil

    Fruit splitting following irregular watering

    Birds can become particularly enthusiastic once the fruit begins ripening.

    Harvest regularly and consider netting if necessary.

    Use wildlife-safe netting secured tightly so birds cannot become trapped.

    How to Tell When Figs Are Ripe

    Unlike many other fruits, figs don't continue ripening properly after picking.

    For the best flavour, leave them on the tree until fully ripe.

    Signs of ripeness include:

    The fruit softens noticeably.

    The skin develops its mature colour.

    The fig begins to hang down from its stalk.

    The fruit feels soft rather than firm.

    Fine cracks may appear in the skin.

    Harvest gently using secateurs or snips if necessary.

    Ripe figs are delicate and don't store particularly well, so they're best eaten or processed soon after picking.

    Which shouldn't be too difficult.
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