Spadafora Dark
Ficus carica ‘Spadafora Dark’About
Spadafora Dark is a Sicilian variety named after the commune of Spadafora in the province of Messina. It produces medium to large figs with very dark purple to near-black skin and deep wine-red flesh with a rich, complex sweetness. Sicily's long, hot, dry growing season produces this variety at its best, and the variety has been cultivated there for centuries as part of the island's renowned fig-growing tradition.
Growing Notes
- Full sun and warmth are essential — this is a Sicilian variety through and through.
- Good productivity when conditions are right; less productive in cool or wet summers.
- Prune to an open form to maximise sun penetration and air circulation.
- Excellent for fresh eating and preserves; dries well in a warm climate.
- Cold hardiness moderate — protect below −7 °C (19 °F).
My Notes
One of my favourite dark Sicilian varieties. Grown against the south-facing wall where it gets maximum heat reflected off the brickwork. A warm, sheltered spot genuinely unlocks this variety's potential.
Where to Find Spadafora Dark
Mislabeled figs are the collector’s oldest problem, and you usually don’t find out until the tree finally fruits years later. I list my own cuttings on Figstead — a marketplace I built and run, because I had been on the buying end of that problem too many times. That is also why the bar to sell there is where it is: 150+ verified sales at a 98%+ positive feedback rating before a seller is approved, and accountability for true-to-type accuracy resting on the seller personally. I sell under the same standard I set.
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