Ficus carica ‘Brunswick’

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This is one of the most useful of the hardy Figs. In a south-eastern corner, trained against a wall, it ripens by the middle of August, in even unfavourable seasons. In an ordinary summer, in the neighbourhood of London, it begins to mature by the beginning of that month. Notwithstanding these qualities, it is not much recommended in works upon gardening, in which it is frequently described as a coarse variety. If by this term is meant that it is unusually large, the epithet coarse is well applied, as it is, perhaps, the largest Purple Fig we have; but if the expression is intended to refer to its quality, nothing can be more unjust, its flavour being rich and excellent in the extreme. Upon the whole, this may be safely taken as the most useful variety that can be selected for a small garden. The name of Brunswick is retained in preference to that of Madonna, because it is now the better known of the two.’ [PM t.48/1828].

I know nothing of the history of this fig. In the 1830s it would seem that descriptions of figs were somewhat loose, sometimes based on skin colour, sometimes flesh colour. Brunswick is described in its synonyms variously as a black, white, brown, rose and red fig. Only green and purple are missing, although the latter is furnished by the Pomological Magazine, and the accompanying figure, used here, shows a distinctly purple fruit.  PB pl.LXXIV/1812.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [Fig no.5/1845].

Notes