Olympian fig tree

🌳 Origin and Type

• Botanical name: Ficus carica ‘Olympian’
• Origin: selected in Washington State (USA)
• Type: common fig (self-fertile)
  → produces fruit without the need for pollination.

🍈 The Fruit

• Color: violet to deep purple
• Flesh: pinkish-red
• Flavor: very sweet, rich, with honey and berry notes
• Size: medium to large
• Texture: juicy and melting

👉 Key feature:

• Known for being very flavorful even in cooler climates

🌿 Production

• Typically one main crop (late summer / early fall)
• May sometimes produce a small breba crop (early figs), but this is not its main strength

👉 Its production is:

• reliable
• fairly abundant under good conditions

❄️ Hardiness and Climate

One of its biggest advantages 👇

• Hardiness: about 0 to -5 °F (-15 to -18 °C) (with protection)
• Well suited for:
  • cool climates
  • short summers
  • humid regions

👉 Often recommended for:

• northern United States
• Canada (including Quebec, with protection)

🌿 Growth and Size

• Growth: vigorous
• Mature size: about 10 to 20 ft (3 to 6 m)
• Shape: spreading, bushy
• Leaves: large, typical fig leaves

👉 Can be kept smaller with pruning.

🌱 Growing and Care

• ☀️ Sun: full sun recommended
• 🌱 Soil: well-drained
• 💧 Watering: moderate; somewhat drought-tolerant once established
• ✂️ Pruning:
  • quite flexible
  • mainly fruits on current year’s growth

👉 A good option both in-ground and in large containers.

⭐ Strengths

• Very good cold hardiness
• Excellent fruit quality
• Good productivity
• Well adapted to cool and humid climates
• Self-fertile and easy to grow

⚠️ Weaknesses

• May need winter protection in very cold climates
• Harvest can be somewhat late (risk in short seasons)
• Less early than some varieties (like Desert King)