A compact cultivar with a mature height of just 8-10 feet, the Violette de Bordeaux or Negronne fig nevertheless produces plenty of jammy, succulent fruit each year. Deep green, five lobed leaves hide clusters of dark purple skinned fruit. The interior of these drupelets can be dark pink to red in color.

   This cultivar also belongs to the class of figs that produce what is known as a ‘breba’ or ‘brebber’ crop, an early harvest cultivated on the old wood from the previous growing season, while the main crop is harvested several months later from the growth of the present year. Negronne figs are self-fertile, meaning they require no additional specimens in order to produce fruit, which makes them well suited to patio gardens or small spaces where only one tree fits. Our specimen here in the garden is to the far left of the sugar kettle, nestled between the curved brick wall and the fence at the entrance of the kitchen garden.