Violette de Bordeaux Fig | Comprehensive Variety Review

Learning about fig varieties can be difficult. Most of the information available is incorrect, and even worse, it’s constantly regurgitated. There are also 1000s of cultivars to choose from, but after testing hundreds of them myself, I believe staples like Violette de Bordeaux are essential for every fig grower to understand.

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The Violette de Bordeaux Fig

• Origin: France

• Categorization: Bifere

• Similar varieties: Beer's Black, Little Miss Figgy, Negronne, Nero 600m, Petite Aubique, Petite Negri, Valle Calda, Valle Negra, Vista, Unk Negretta (Marius), Ischia Black (RW), Black Provence, 7th Street Unk, Vallecalda di Borgofornari, Ischia Black (Arboreum), Picolla Negretta, Malone, Ischia Black (Porq)

• Taste grouping: Bordeaux berry

• Texture: Jammy

• Size: Medium to small

• Ripening period: Mid-season

• Vigor: Medium to high

• Rain resistance: High

• Spoilage resistance: High

• Shape: Pyriforme / Ovoidal

• Hang time: Average

• Split resistance: High

• Climate preference: Well-adapted

• Hardiness: High

• Taste rating: 4.7/5

• Light requirements: Average

• Productivity: Very high

• Distinct characteristic: Red/brown unripe figs

A Personal Story

Years ago, when I first started expanding my collection, a well-respected grower from New Jersey told me that Violette de Bordeaux was the best fig he’d ever trialed—out of more than 200 varieties. At the time, I actually chuckled. With all the rare and "exotic" varieties out there, I assumed he was joking. I couldn't imagine that something so common and inexpensive could actually be the top performer.

Looking back, I realize the joke was on me. After years of researching and personally growing hundreds of varieties, I’ve learned that he was right. Because VdB is easy to find, it often doesn't get the credit it deserves, but it has all the "pluses" and almost zero "minuses." It is a powerhouse variety that performs consistently, no matter where you plant it.

History & Other Information

While documented by historians as early as the 1700s and brought to the U.S. in the 1920s, the true geographical origin of Violette de Bordeaux (VdB) is secondary to its incredible pedigree. Its most famous endorsement came from the gardens of Versailles, where King Louis XIV cultivated this variety alongside his vast collection. The French have a legendary reverence for fruit quality; the fact that VdB was a favorite—and has continued adapting to the French climate for over 300 years—is the ultimate "stress test" proving it can thrive in even the most challenging U.S. growing regions.

One Fig, Many Names

The sheer number of synonyms for VdB underscores its global significance. When a variety performs this consistently, it is inevitably rediscovered and renamed across different cultures and eras:

• The Classics: You’ll find it under historical aliases like Negronne, Petite Aubique, and Black Provence.

• Modern Rebrands: It continues to dominate the market today through popular names like Little Miss Figgy, Beer’s Black, Petite Negri, and Nero 600m.

Whether it’s being grown as Vista in a backyard or Valle Calda in Italy, the conclusion is the same: this is a world-class variety with a royal seal of approval that has stood the test of time.

Want to avoid synonyms and choose the perfect fig variety? This guide will save you time, money, and heartbreak, which I experienced when I first started. I've even created a helpful PDF to help you "fig-ure" it out. Check it out below!

What Does Violette de Bordeaux Taste Like?

Violette de Bordeaux tastes like a blueberry combined with fig nectar "honey."

While excellent when fresh, VdB reaches legendary status when allowed to shrivel or semi-dry on the branch. In this concentrated state, the profile shifts, introducing deep cherry notes and an intensification of its signature berry flavors.

It is worth noting that in Mediterranean climates—characterized by high heat, low humidity, and the presence of the Blastophaga wasp for pollination—these complex flavors can emerge much earlier in the ripening process than they do in cooler or more humid regions.

Growing Characteristics

Resilience in the Rain: Shape Matters

VdB’s skin is prone to cracking in high humidity. In my experience, these cracks can quickly lead to mold, forcing a choice: pick the fig early for a guaranteed harvest, or wait for peak flavor and risk the rain. Decreasing nitrogen supplementation to the soil or simply planting this variety in the ground will prevent excessive cracking.

However, while I’ve seen plenty of skin cracking on this variety, it rarely splits.

Figs like Violette de Bordeaux, with a slender, pyriform (pear) shape, shed water more efficiently than their squat or flat counterparts. VdB further benefits from its stem length; while not always long, a prominent stem allows the fruit to hang in a way that prevents water from pooling at the eye. If you’re battling rain and humidity, that ovoidal shape combined with a solid stem is exactly the "weatherproofing" you’re looking for.

Debunking the "Dwarf" Myth

You’ll often see Violette de Bordeaux labeled as a "dwarf" variety in recycled nursery descriptions. Don't believe it. While specific strains might stay compact, VdB is frequently one of the most vigorous varieties in the orchard. This confusion has been amplified by the rise of Little Miss Figgy, a variety marketed heavily as a dwarf mutation of VdB.

The Reality of the Mutation

Little Miss Figgy originated as a "bud sport"—a natural mutation on a single bud of a VdB tree. While this mutation resulted in slightly closer node spacing, the differences are often overstated for marketing. In my trials, the two are nearly identical in fruit flavor, texture, and cold hardiness.

The Marketing Gimmick: In the U.S., a "cute" name like Little Miss Figgy sells better than the sophisticated "Violette de Bordeaux." However, many of the traits attributed to the mutation—compactness and high productivity—are already inherent in the parent VdB.

This vigor leads to a common point of confusion: leaf variability. VdB can actually exhibit three distinct leaf patterns depending on its growth rate (low, medium, or high vigor). This is a perfect example of why identifying a variety solely by its leaves is a rookie mistake. If your tree is healthy and pushing hard, don't be alarmed to see those iconic, large "long-finger" leaves—it’s just a sign of a happy, vigorous tree.

The Ultimate "Two-for-One" Harvest

Despite its merits, the best part of VdB is its prolific breba crop. Not only that, it's exceptional—often rivaling the main crop in quality. I’ve pulled roughly 25 brebas off a single potted tree in one season.

The breba crop ripens 30-45 days earlier than the main crop, making it a great choice even in climates with short seasons or mild summers. If you have about 150 or more frost-free days, VdB reliably delivers two distinct crops, greatly increasing your harvest window. If someone told me they only had room for one single fig tree, I’d tell them it’s hard to find a more logical choice than Violette de Bordeaux.

Q: What About Ronde de Bordeaux?

A: While both Violette de Bordeaux and Ronde de Bordeaux are French powerhouses with similar-sounding names, they are distinct varieties that every grower should distinguish between.

Don't let the "Bordeaux" label confuse you: while Violette is prized for its classic ovoid shape and exceptional two-crop (breba and main) reliability, Ronde de Bordeaux is a unifera variety, meaning it focuses all its energy into a single, exceptionally early main crop. As the name "Ronde" (meaning round) implies, this fig features a different silhouette and a unique "plum-candy" flavor profile that truly shines when allowed to shrivel on the tree. Understanding these subtle differences is the first step toward mastering the diverse world of French cultivars.