Ficus carica 'ICE CRYSTAL'

We focus on plants that have not been cultivated in our climate before. We have great results because many of them are well adaptable to our continental conditions and do what they should – flourish, bloom, or set fruit. Fig trees belong among these originally forbidden taxons. There, a good location is needed as well as a selected variety suitable for our zone. And if you meet both obligations, you can enjoy sweet and tasty figs from your own garden every summer as well as exotic foliage that significantly upgrades every Mediterranean-like landscape.

Ice Crystal is a unique variety of fig tree which probably rose from spontaneous crossbreeding with ficus afghanistanica. It stands out for its beautiful, palmate, deeply lobed leaves whose margins are picturesquely carved with smaller lobes and notches, so with a little imagination you can get the idea why the variety name was inspired by the crystallization of ice as in a snowflake. The leaves are large, abt. 30 cm in length and width, sometimes more, typically fragrant, medium green, rather matte, and deciduous. They emerge at the latest in the season along with other exotic deciduous trees such as albizia or summer flowering shrubs like hibiscus or campsis. In autumn they last without a significant colour change until the first strong frost kills them.

In late summer, medium-sized, dark red fruits are formed. They are sweet and borne without pollination. They are ripe if they break off easily and do not ooze milk (=latex) which is present throughout the plant and can cause eye or lip irritation to sensitive people. Harvest time in C.E. conditions is usually from late August till September. Do not expect the second harvest unless you live in hot climate. Pruning is possible in the spring, and in case of vigorous growth during the summer, it is recommended to shorten the new growths to 3 leaves for more abundant reproduction. Ice Crystal is cultivated predominantly for its exotic appearance of handsome leaves rather than for fruit because the leaves can create a perfect backdrop for a Mediterranean garden.

Fig plants need a sunny spot preferably at a south-facing wall where they can accumulate a lot of warmth and are sheltered in winter. Young plants survive approx. -15 °C, older plants can take -20 °C or even more with protection. In any case it is fully root-hardy i.e. it always re-sprouts from the ground level if branches are damaged by harsh frost. It absolutely needs free-draining, preferably alkaline soil with some clay lower and plenty of humus-rich material.

Last update 15-02-2024.