Plant Finder

Other Names:  syn. F. roxburghii, Elephant Ear Fig

Description:

An ornamental accent plant with huge, rounded, glossy green leaves that emerge coppery red; in frost free areas this variety can grow quite large, howerver it can be maintained as a houseplant in colder climates; fruits not usually considered edible

Ornamental Features

Roxburgh Fig has attractive green evergreen foliage which emerges coppery-bronze in spring on a tree with a round habit of growth. The large glossy round leaves are highly ornamental and remain green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy chartreuse pomes displayed in late summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

Landscape Attributes

Roxburgh Fig is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Roxburgh Fig is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Roxburgh Fig will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.

Roxburgh Fig is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.