Chicago Hardy Fig Tree is also known as Bensonhurst Purple Fig. It is one of the most popular figs in North America, and known for its cold-hardiness. The flowers are green, non-showy, and develops inside a hollow receptacle. It produces abundant green fruits that will turn to dark purple at peak maturity. Chicago Hardy Figs are medium sized, extremely flavoured, juicy, sweet with light hints of honey, and feature strawberry-coloured flesh. As a parthenocarpic cultivar, it reliably produces fruits without pollination. Figs can be harvested from July to September. Leaves are green, large, palmate, leathery, and deeply lobed. Ficus carica 'Chicago Hardy' is one of the hardiest edible figs with stems hardy to 10 °F (-12 °C), and roots hardy to -10 °F (-23 °C). The Chicago Hardy fig tree prefers full sun to partial shade, and well-drained moist soils. It will not tolerate standing water. It can grow up to 10 to 15 feet (3-4.5 m) in height and 9 to 12 feet (2.7-3.6 m) wide. It is a perfect choice for edible gardens, and excellent for growing in pots and containers.
