The Bible tells us that the foliage used to fashion the First Outfits was plucked from the fig, which we think is an odd choice. The large leaves of the edible fig, Ficus carica, have 3-5 lobes or “windows” and a texture much like sandpaper; they are also deciduous. They would have been as comfortable as a hair shirt in summer and useless for preserving modesty in winter. Of course, we can't blame the First Couple for being the First Fashion Victims since there were no haute couturiers vying to advise them. (What velvety leaves might Yves have selected for Eve's and Adam's aprons — Sparmannia africana? Rubus parviflorus?)

But this is ancient history and beside the point. The real news is that Berkeley Hort. has recently received several delectable varieties of both dark- and light-skinned Common Figs.

The dark varieties are:

• Black Mission
• Brown Turkey
• Flanders
• Osborn’s Prolific

Light-skinned varieties are:

• Conadria
• Excel
• Janice Seedless Kadota
• Panachee
• White Genoa

All trees are in 5 gallon-size cans
$49.95 each

Details about the individual varieties are too numerous to mention here, but do look at our information cards on the trees, or refer to the excellent website of the California Rare Fruit Growers.

Remember that trees in the ground can easily grow 10-30 ft. tall and equally wide, but are also suitable for growing as specimens in (large) containers. For ripe, tasty fruit, Common Figs need a full day of sun and regular water. The California Rare Fruit Growers recommend fertilizing them only if the plants grow less than a foot per year.

— Margaret