Louisiana State University is well known for their work with figs. They had an impressive breeding program in the 1950s that was led by Dr. Ed O'Rourke. The goal of this program was to develop fig varieties that performed exceptionally well in the Gulf South region.
At some point that breeding program started by Dr. O'Rourke lost steam or interest, but it was revamped in the 1990s by Charlie Johnson. The renewing of the fig research in the 1990s led to several new releases which included LSU Champagne, LSU Gold, LSU Purple, LSU O'Rourke, LSU Tiger, and LSU Scott's Black varieties.
All of the varieties developed by the LSU fig breeding program over the years are hybrids. They were created using genetics from Hunt and Celeste varieties, with an emphasis on performance in the hot and humid south. We have several LSU fig varieties in our collection and have recently added more.
It is important to note that there is some confusion (and sometimes contention) about all the varieties that stemmed from the LSU fig breeding program. There are a few "official" releases that are more common and easier to find. But there are also many "unofficial" releases that have more of a cloudy history.
Our LSU Fig Collection
We obtained cuttings for most of our LSU varieties from a grower in Louisiana who is very knowledgable about the LSU fig breeding program and the varieties they created. Below we'll list the varieties we have and our evaluation (if any) of them so far.
LSU Gold Fig
This was one of the first fig varieties that we planted on our property. It is a consistent home run producer for us every single year. These honey-flavored figs get extra large and are absolutely delicious.
We usually get an excellent flush of production from our LSU Gold trees in early summer and then another round of production in the fall. The second round of production isn't always as abundant as the first, but it's still great to have. These trees are extremely vigorous and I've seen a one-year old LSU Gold tree grow as much as 7-8' in one year.
LSU Purple Fig
LSU Purple figs have an excellent reputation as one of the best-tasting fig varieties in existence, and there's no doubt about the flavor. This variety produces some delicious figs, but it is a much slower grower than most other LSU fig varieties.
In addition to LSU Gold, LSU Purple was one of the first fig varieties we planted. Our LSU Gold trees have significantly outpaced our LSU Purple trees on growth and production. LSU Purple figs are definitely worth the wait, but they require a little more patience than other LSU varieties.
LSU Tiger Fig
LSU Tiger is an exceptional fig that has some beautiful striping on the exterior of the figs during ripening. LSU Tiger fig trees grow fast much like LSU Gold trees, and will start to produce ripe figs not long after planting. I've seen some LSU Tiger trees produce ripe figs in the first year.
I really like this variety because they store relatively well for a darker-skinned fig. Unlike most darker figs that have a short shelf-life, these store fairly well in the fridge until you're ready to use them. That means we don't have to process them on the same day that we pick them.
LSU Improved Celeste Fig
This is another exceptional fig from the LSU breeding program. My LSU Improved Celeste trees didn't impress me initially, but they have since I've started pruning them each year. LSU Improved Celeste gives us multiple rounds of production throughout the warm season and the figs are delicious!
LSU Scott's Black Fig
I started several LSU Scott's Black fig cuttings in our greenhouse in the fall of 2022 and planted two of those trees in the ground in spring 2023. These trees grew incredibly fast and gave us several ripe figs in the first year.
This one is at the top of the taste list for the LSU varieties I've tried. The figs aren't as large and impressive as LSU Gold, but the taste is amazing. The berry flavors in these figs are pronounced and memorable.
LSU Hollier Fig
This is another variety I planted in spring 2023. I did get to try a couple of these this year and it was one of the most complex-tasting figs I've ever had. LSU Hollier figs have a yellow exterior and a pink to red interior. I can't wait to try more of these next year!
LSU Red Fig
I planted two LSU Red fig trees in spring 2023, but lost one during Hurricane Idalia. I got one fig from the tree that survived the hurricane and it was tasty, but it's hard to make any real determinations from a single fig. The exterior color on these is a beautiful deep red and the interior is just as beautiful.
LSU Champagne Fig
I planted two of these trees in spring 2023 and they've grown well. I didn't get any ripe figs from the trees this year, but I'm almost certain we will next year. I don't know much about this variety yet except that the figs are more bell-shaped as opposed to round, and the exterior is yellow with a honey interior.
LSU White Honey Fig
I have two of these in the ground, but have to get a ripe fig on them. We should get to try some in 2024. This is one of the "unofficial" releases from the LSU fig breeding program, but is highly regarded among fig collectors.
LSU Thibodeaux Fig
Another "unofficial" release from the LSU fig breeding program, we didn't get any ripe figs from our LSU Thibodeaux trees in the first year. But we're hopeful we'll get some next year. I've eaten some of these in Louisiana, but have yet to enjoy them in Georgia.
LSU Everbearing Fig
This is a honey fig that falls into the "unofficial" release category. We got really good growth on our LSU Everbearing trees in the first year, but no figs yet.
LSU O'Rourke Fig
Our two LSU O'Rourke fig trees that we planted in spring 2023 may have provided the most impressive growth than any of the new-to-us LSU varieties we planted in spring 2023. Although the tree growth was impressive, none of the figs ripened in time. But if we get the same kind of growth next year, we should have lots of figs to enjoy.
LSU Strawberry Fig
We just started cuttings from this variety in late 2023. This unofficial release supposedly produces green figs with a strawberry red interior. The photos I've seen look amazing, so hopefully our patience will be rewarded.
LSU DC2 Fig
DC is an acronym for "dead cat." Supposedly when Charlie Johnson's students were taking cuttings from the LSU fig trees, they found a dead cat near or inside the greenhouse. We just started cuttings for these late in 2023, so we'll have a couple years before we get to try them.
LSU Jack Lily Fig
This is another green fig in the unofficial release category. I don't know much about this one, but I can't wait to try it.
More to Come!
As we get to taste more of these LSU fig varieties we have planted, we'll be sure to write updated blogs comparing all these official and unofficial LSU fig releases. And we'll also promise to keep investigating to make sure we have any and all fig varieties tied to the LSU fig breeding program. If there are ones we don't have currently, we'll be sure to get them!