Bass' Favorite Fig Tree – Sweet Late-Season Figs with Deep Purple Skin

Bass' Favorite Fig Tree – Sweet Late-Season Figs with Deep Purple Skin – Product Overview

The Bass' Favorite Fig Tree is a collector-grade black fig variety that rewards patient growers with an exceptionally long, late-season harvest. Known among enthusiasts simply as BFF, and sometimes sold under the names Calderona or Calderon, this cultivar was named and popularized by Pennsylvania fig collector Bass Samaan of Trees of Joy, who counted it among his personal favorites. It is a deciduous fruit tree built around one idea: dessert-quality sweetness delivered in a compact, container-friendly frame.

What sets this fig apart at first glance is its fruit. The figs ripen to a deep purple to violet skin with a natural powdery bloom, while the tip carries a subtle greenish-yellow cast and fully mature fruit may develop delicate ice-crack lines across the surface. Cut one open and you will find bright red, syrupy flesh with almost no hollow center. The eating experience is closer to a spoonful of berry jam than a typical fig, with a sticky, glutinous texture, a very weak seed sensation, and a pronounced mulberry-and-berry perfume that carries through in the aroma of the fruit itself. Even the leaves contribute to the experience, releasing a soft, milky fragrance when brushed.

Highlights

• Dessert-grade sweetness: Soluble solids typically measure 20-27° Brix, delivering a rich honey sweetness balanced by a subtle back-acid rather than a flat, one-note sugar hit.
• Late-season performer: Fruit ripens from late August through November, extending your fresh fig supply well after earlier varieties finish.
• Compact and container-ready: Growth is vigorous yet manageable with good natural dwarfing, making it a strong candidate for balconies and patio pots.
• Reliable cropping: A low first-fruiting node and a tendency to set a fig at nearly every leaf mean strong yields and a long, staggered picking window.
• Low fruit drop: Ripe fruit holds firmly to the tree, with little physiological drop before maturity.
• Young trees produce: Grafted young trees may set fruit in their very first season.

Known Characteristics

Bass' Favorite produces medium-to-large figs, typically weighing 50-80 grams, which places it among the larger-fruited black figs in cultivation. The skin is thin yet durable, and the flesh is vivid red, dense, and syrupy with minimal hollow space. Flavor is the headline feature: measurements commonly land between 20 and 27° Brix, and tasters consistently describe a layered sweetness with mulberry and mixed-berry notes and a faint, pleasant acidity on the finish.

The tree itself is a strong, healthy grower that stays naturally compact without becoming unruly. It fruits low on the branch structure, so even a modest tree can carry an impressive load. Its hardiness is rated as medium; it overwinters safely outdoors in mild southern climates such as Guangdong, but growers in northern regions with short frost-free seasons should plan on winter protection and may find late fruit struggles to fully ripen before cold arrives.

It is worth knowing this variety's honest limitations. The fruit eye is on the larger side, so continuous rain can push moisture into the fruit and cause minor rot or light cracking during the swelling phase; growers in wet climates should consider simple rain cover. The tree also dislikes heavy heading cuts, which can trigger vigorous, fruit-delaying shoot growth. And because fully ripe fruit is soft and extremely juicy, it does not ship well and is best enjoyed fresh from the tree.

Growth Habit and Landscape Presence

In the garden, Bass' Favorite reads as a tidy, upright deciduous tree with a naturally compact silhouette. Its vigor is strong but not frantic, and it shows good dwarfing behavior, which is exactly what makes it so appealing for small spaces. In the open ground it forms a handsome specimen for a sunny border or a dedicated home orchard, while in a container it stays proportioned and productive, making it a realistic choice for a balcony or rooftop grower who still wants a serious harvest.

Because it fruits low and sets heavily, the tree offers visual interest even when young, with clusters of dark fruit hanging against green, three-lobed leaves. Note that leaf shape can vary on a single tree, with three-, four-, and five-lobed leaves appearing together; this is normal and not a reliable way to identify the variety.

Why Gardeners Value Bass' Favorite Fig Tree – Sweet Late-Season Figs with Deep Purple Skin

Fig collectors value Bass' Favorite for the same reason Bass Samaan did: it delivers a flavor profile that feels genuinely special. The combination of very high sugar, a jammy, syrup-rich texture, and a berry-and-mulberry finish makes it a standout for fresh eating rather than a fig you simply process or preserve. For the home grower, the appeal is practical as much as culinary. The long late-summer-to-fall harvest window stretches the fig season, the compact habit fits modest gardens and containers, and the low fruit drop means less waste and more consistent picking.

It is also a rewarding choice for growers who enjoy a bit of finesse. Because the variety responds poorly to heavy pruning and needs rain protection in wet spells, it rewards attentive gardeners who understand their microclimate. That said, it is not a difficult tree for a motivated beginner, especially in warm, sunny southern regions where it thrives with minimal intervention.

Best Uses

This is first and foremost a fresh-eating fig, and it is at its best picked fully ripe and enjoyed immediately, when the juice is abundant and the flavor is at its peak. The syrupy, jam-like flesh also shines in desserts, where it can be sliced over yogurt, folded into tarts, or simply arranged on a gourmet fruit plate. Because of its high sugar content and concentrated flavor, it can be dried successfully, though the soft, juicy texture of fully ripe fruit means it is not built for long-distance transport or storage.

In the landscape, its compact habit makes it an excellent choice for a sunny patio container, a small orchard block, or a single specimen tree in a warm, sheltered spot. Growers in mild climates can keep it as a productive ornamental, while northern gardeners can treat it as a container plant that moves to a protected location for winter.

Seasonal Performance

Bass' Favorite is a true late-season variety. In warm southern climates, ripening begins around mid-to-late August and continues steadily into November, giving growers a long, staggered harvest rather than a single glut. The extended window is one of its greatest assets, keeping fresh figs on the table for months after earlier varieties have finished.

In northern regions with short frost-free seasons, the tree will still grow vigorously and set fruit, but late-season figs may struggle to reach full ripeness before cold weather arrives. Growers in these areas should site the tree in the warmest, most protected spot available and be prepared to protect it through winter, since its hardiness is only medium.

Growing Guide

Site and Sunlight

Give Bass' Favorite full sun, ideally six or more hours of direct light each day. Strong light deepens the purple skin color and pushes sugar content higher, which directly improves the dessert quality of the fruit. Choose a warm, sheltered position that is protected from cold winds, and in cooler climates favor a south-facing wall or a microclimate that holds heat.

Soil and Root Establishment

Plant in well-drained soil with moderate fertility. The tree performs best in a mix that holds some moisture rather than one that is excessively airy and fast-draining; a garden-soil-heavy blend that does not become waterlogged suits it well. In containers, use a quality potting mix with good drainage and avoid letting the root zone dry out completely.

Watering and Mulching

Water consistently during establishment and through the growing season, keeping the soil evenly moist but never soggy. During the fruit-swelling phase, moderate water control can help reduce cracking. A layer of mulch around the base conserves moisture and moderates soil temperature, though it should be kept clear of the trunk.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced fertilizer suited to fruiting trees during the active growing season, following the product label for rates. Avoid overfeeding with high-nitrogen formulas, which can push leafy growth at the expense of fruiting. In containers, regular light feeding is more effective than infrequent heavy applications.

Pruning and Routine Care

Prune lightly and selectively. Bass' Favorite responds poorly to heavy heading cuts, which can trigger vigorous, fruit-delaying shoot growth. Instead, thin out weak, crowded, or crossing branches to keep the canopy open and airy. Remove any dead or damaged wood as needed, but resist the urge to shorten main branches aggressively.

Seasonal Protection and Health Monitoring

Because the fruit eye is large, protect ripening fruit from prolonged rain where possible; a simple overhead cover during wet spells greatly reduces the risk of water entering the fruit and causing rot or light cracking. In northern climates, provide winter protection, as hardiness is only medium. Monitor for signs of stress and keep the area around the tree clean to reduce disease pressure.

Professional Tips

• Time your harvest: This fig is best picked fully ripe, when the fruit softens and the skin shows its deepest color. Under-ripe fruit will not show the full honey-and-berry complexity.
• Plan for rain: In wet climates, a simple rain shelter over the canopy during fruit swelling dramatically reduces cracking and rot, turning a potential weakness into a manageable detail.
• Respect the pruning rule: Thin rather than head back. Heavy cuts invite rank, fruit-delaying shoots, so keep pruning light and selective.
• Match the climate: This variety shines in warm, sunny southern regions. Northern growers should treat it as a container plant or provide serious winter protection.
• Buy from a reliable source: Mislabeled fig stock is common in the market, so source your tree from a reputable nursery to be sure you are getting true Bass' Favorite.

Why Buy From Us

We ship healthy, live plants with care, and we stand behind every order. If your plant dies as a result of shipping, we will replace it free of charge. We also guarantee variety accuracy: if the plant you receive is not the variety you ordered, we will replace it or refund your purchase. Planting support is available to help you get your tree established successfully. We offer worldwide delivery, normally arriving 7-10 business days after your order is placed, and if your plant dies within one month of arrival, a replacement is available.

Order Bass' Favorite Fig Tree – Sweet Late-Season Figs with Deep Purple Skin

Bring a true collector's fig into your garden or onto your balcony. With its deep purple skin, brilliant red jam-like flesh, and honey-and-mulberry sweetness reaching up to 27° Brix, the Bass' Favorite Fig Tree is one of the most rewarding late-season varieties you can grow. Order yours today and look forward to a long, delicious harvest from late summer through fall.