"A lot of North American annuals are perennial where there is no frost." I understand the point you're making, but what you said isn't accurate. Where a plant grows has no bearing on whether or not it's an annual or perennial. If a plant is CAPABLE, the key word, of surviving for 3 or more growth cycles, it's a perennial. If it dies at the end of a single growth cycle, it's an annual. There are many perennials we grow AS we would annuals, but they are still perennials regardless of where they are grown. Snapdragon, dusty miller, coleus, impatiens ......., all perennials no matter where they grow or if they escape the winter's killing lows. Al

I found the one I had back in the mid 1990s to be pretty hardy; the erstwhile management of Forestfarm said their seed came from one in some frost hollow of western WA that had seen very low temperatures by PNW standards. Current management of Forestfarm knows nothing about this...too bad they didn't keep better notes. And, I think this reflect a general thing going on with Forestfarm. They will still have rare plants but not someone - an owner-operator-plant-lover - going through the tedious steps to obtain the "best of all possible rare plants". (always time for a little Panglossian optimism!) I really don't think they are particularly susceptible to fungus for any reason other than having been pumped full of nitrogen to get them into fast growth...when sold as the decidedly odd looking 'mini Christmas trees'. They grow in Texas around the dry line, which certainly can be humid! Years ago someone posted a picture of some big ones in San Antonio. And also of course one grew in North Carolina. I think, south of say Richmond, VA, they are just under planted, and north of it, likely to die back in the coldest of winters.

leon those figs are HUGH. I got mine from Willis nursery along with a Peters Honey. The Peters havent produced anything yet this year, but both trees are beautiful. Ive had these 4' trees for 1 year growing in containers. The Italian everbearing has about 15 figs and is no way near the size of yours, not even the ripe ones. Mine also does not have the open eye like your above photo. Im interested in what you use as fertilizers. I want that size :) Thanks for the posting and photo.

Foodona... Yes well yours sounds difficult unless they will do as Lars says and drink something other than cows' milk. Or they would have to carry their milk with them in a thermos and drink it after a certain times. As I eat a late supper anywhere between 8 and 10 pm it's cutting it a bit fine if I want to go to bed at the usual time, around midnight. So I'll just eat earlier I guess. Thanks for that link Lars. I'm sure I will come in useful. SharonCb