Fig Dwarf 'Little Ruby' (Ficus carica)

A dwarf and hardy fig that is an excellent choice for patio culture as far north as zone 6. Little Ruby produces a breba crop of medium sized sweet red figs with strawberry colored flesh. Developed by the same retired biologist who gave us the hardy and huge Olympian Fig, Denny McGaughy, he chose this seedling for its hardiness, compact habit, as well as reliability. Little Ruby is so compact in fact that it is sometimes selected as a bonsai specimen.   Figs produce their breba crops on the previous season's growth and so this should not pruned back in winter as we sometimes do or you will lose your fruit crop with this cultivar.    Fig trees do best where they get at least 8 hours of direct sun per day. Once well established they are fairly drought tolerant but extended dry periods can cause leaf and fruit drop as well as early dormancy. A deep organic mulch will help to alleviate extremes in moisture levels, reduce nematode issues, as well as to reduce competition from weeds.