Fig, Celeste


S & J Nursery’s Celeste

Fig Trees For Northeast Florida Gardens


 

 Celeste Fig Trees / Brown Sugar Fig / Sugar Fig/ Ficus Carica ‘Celeste’ Origins:

All varieties of Fig tree are native to Mediterranean climates where the air is hot and dry. The ‘Celeste’ or ‘Celestial’ fig tree is a selection of the classification known as the ‘Common Fig’. Its grown for its sugary sweet fruit that also gives it the common names of sugar and brown sugar figs.

All common figs do well in our North East Florida’s hot and humid climate and Celeste is one of the most popular figs for our Northeast Florida, Jacksonville and St. Augustine area. It is relatively cold hardy, has a closed eye that helps keep out pests and a beautiful violet purple color when young that matures to a deep chestnut Bronze brown color, tan small to medium sized fruit.

Sun Exposure for Celeste Fig Trees:

Plant Common fig tree varieties in a full sun location for best results.

Foliage and Bark of Celeste Fig Trees:

Celeste or Celestial fig trees have leaves typical of the common fig cultivar’s, they are large up to 9 inches across, light green and deeply lobed. That big bold foliage adds an instant tropical effect to the landscape and really makes a nice specimen in the garden.

Foliage of the Celeste fig tree ficus carica is deciduous and will fall off of the tree once temperatures drop for the winter season here in Northeast Florida in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area.

The bark of the Celeste fig tree is a pretty gray color and smooth to the touch on all but the oldest of trees where the bark can become a bit more gnarly and textured. Figs have a strong trunk and branch pattern that can be very showy even in winter. Try some Christmas lights around fig branches and see for yourself!

Soil Preference for the Celeste Fig Tree:

Common Figs are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and components providing they are planted into well draining soils. Despite it’s ability to tolerate poor soils, it is best to amend the soil with generous amounts of garden compost when planting into North Florida’s sandy soils to help the tree fight off nematode infestations, hold water from irrigating and provide a rich source of nutrients to give your new S & J Nursery container grown fig tree the best start possible.

Size of the Celeste Fig Tree When Mature:

The mature size on a Celeste fig tree is generally thought to be from 10 – 15 feet, but that can range depending on where its planted and on how it has been pruned when young.

Blooms and Fruit of the Celeste Fig Tree:

Pruning and Growth Habits of Brown Turkey Fig Trees for the Northeast Florida Landscape:

Figs are a moderate to fast growing fruit tree, they require no pruning to bear fruit but are often pruned to an open center to increase the amount of air flow and sunlight into the center of the tree. Check out the following link that opens a new window for more information…

Pruning And Growth Habit of the Common Fig In Northeast Florida

S & J Nursery’s guide to pruning and growth habits of the Common Fig in Norhteast Florida landscapes, pruning figs in the Jacksonville, St. Augustine area edible landcapes

Water and Fertilizer Requirements of the Celeste Fig:

Properly watering and fertilizing your newly planted fig trees can help not only keep them healthy but keep them producing those great tasting figs!

How to Water and Fertilize Your Fig Tree to Maximize Health and Fruit Production

S & J Nursery’s How to Water and Fertilize Your Fig Tree for the Common Fig, Help for growing figs in the Northeast Florida, Jacksonville  and St. Augustine area landcape

Wildlife attracted to Celeste Figs:

As we all know fresh figs are a special kind of delicacy, but we are certainly not the only ones to have found that out. They are loved by local birds, squirrels, gophers, racoons, rabbits and even ants! I take my Mom’s old fashioned organic gardening advice on this problem and plant two so that I have enough to share!

 

Harvesting your Fresh Figs:

 Figs will slip right off the tree when handled if ripe. Harvest them when the fruit has changed to its mature color and begins to droop. Figs don’t continue to ripen once removed from the tree, so its best to harvest when ripe for the sweetest flavor possible.