By Enmanuel Vasquez, FruitTree Direct. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer
If you live in USDA zone 5, buy Chicago Hardy. It is rated for zones 5 to 10 and fruits on new wood, so even if a hard winter kills the top back, it can regrow and still ripen figs the same summer. In zones 6 and 7, Chicago Hardy is still the most forgiving choice, and Violette de Bordeaux is the pick if you want the best flavor in a compact tree or a large pot. Both are self fertile, so one tree is enough.
Not sure of your zone? Enter your ZIP code in our Find Your Growing Zone tool.
Chicago Hardy vs Violette de Bordeaux at a glance
| Chicago Hardy | Violette de Bordeaux | |
|---|---|---|
| USDA zones | 5 to 10 (protect in zones 5 and 6) | 6 to 10 (protection and some dieback possible in colder sites) |
| Best for | Cold winters, beginners, the in-ground option in zone 5 | Flavor, small gardens and large containers |
| Fruit | Purple-brown skin, strawberry-red flesh, sweet | Small, almost black, intense berry-jam flavor |
| Mature size | 10 to 15 ft in the ground, smaller in a pot or where it dies back | Naturally compact, typically 6 to 10 ft |
| Pollination | Self fertile | Self fertile |
| Harvest | Late summer to fall | Main crop late summer into fall; early breba crop possible in warm zones |
| What you receive | Live plant in a 1-gallon pot | Bare root tree, 2 to 3 ft |
| When it ships | Now, processed in 1 to 3 business days | Spring, March to May (orders placed now are reserved) |
| Price | From $57.95 | From $59.95 |
Which fig tree should you buy for your zone?
Zone 5: Chicago Hardy
Zone 5 is the cold edge for figs, and Chicago Hardy is the variety that makes it realistic. Expect the top to die back in hard winters. Because it sets its main crop on the current season's growth, the plant can come back from the roots and still fruit if summer warmth lasts long enough. The easiest setup in zone 5 is a large pot that spends winter in an unheated garage. In the ground, give it your warmest spot and a thick winter mulch.
See the Chicago Hardy fig tree
Zone 6: Chicago Hardy for reliability, Violette de Bordeaux for flavor
In zone 6 you can choose. Pick Chicago Hardy if you want the most dependable fig in the ground with the least winter fuss. Pick Violette de Bordeaux if you want what many collectors rate among the best-tasting figs, and you can give it a sheltered spot near a sun-facing wall or grow it in a large container you can protect in winter.
Zone 7: either one, or both
Zone 7 is comfortable for both. Many growers plant Chicago Hardy in the ground and Violette de Bordeaux in a pot on the patio, which gives two very different flavors from late summer into fall.
Which fig is best for a pot?
Violette de Bordeaux is the better container fig because it is naturally compact, typically 6 to 10 ft. Chicago Hardy also grows well in a large pot. In cold zones, a pot is the simplest way to protect either one: once it goes dormant, roll it into an unheated garage and water lightly about once a month so the roots never dry out completely.
What about fig trees for warmer zones?
Both varieties grow up to zone 10, so they also work in warm climates. If you garden in Texas or the Gulf South, see our guide to fruit trees for San Antonio and South-Central Texas.
How to choose: 4 questions to ask before you buy
- What is your zone? Zone 5 points to Chicago Hardy. Zones 6 to 10 give you both options.
- Ground or pot? For a pot or a small yard, Violette de Bordeaux stays smaller.
- When do you want to plant? Chicago Hardy ships now in a pot. Violette de Bordeaux ships bare root in spring, March to May.
- Flavor or toughness? Chicago Hardy wins on cold tolerance. Violette de Bordeaux wins on flavor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most cold hardy fig tree?
Chicago Hardy is the benchmark fig for cold climates. It is rated for zones 5 to 10 and fruits on new wood, so it can regrow and fruit after winter dieback.
Can a fig tree survive a zone 5 winter?
Chicago Hardy can, with protection. The top may die back in a hard winter, but the roots usually survive under a thick mulch or in a pot stored in an unheated garage, and the plant can still fruit the same summer.
Do I need two fig trees to get fruit?
No. Chicago Hardy and Violette de Bordeaux are both self fertile, so a single tree can produce figs.
Is Violette de Bordeaux hardy in zone 6?
It is listed for zones 6 to 10. In zone 6, give it a sheltered, sunny spot or grow it in a pot, and expect possible partial dieback in hard winters.
When will my fig tree ship?
Chicago Hardy ships as a live potted plant, processed in 1 to 3 business days. Violette de Bordeaux ships bare root in spring, from March to May. Shipping is a flat $14.95 per order and free on orders of $149 or more.
What if my tree arrives damaged?
Every order has our Arrive Alive Guarantee: if your tree arrives dead or badly damaged, email photos within 48 hours of delivery and choose a replacement or a refund. A 30-day guarantee also applies.
The bottom line
- Zone 5: Chicago Hardy.
- Zone 6: Chicago Hardy for reliability, Violette de Bordeaux for flavor.
- Zone 7 and warmer: either one, or both for two harvests of very different figs.
Want to read more before you buy? Our Chicago Hardy growing guide covers winter protection step by step, and you can browse every fig we carry in our fig tree collection.
Chicago Hardy does not ship to CA, AZ, HI or AK.