Bocking 14 Comfrey Plant Roots – Symphytum Officinale – 5 Packs, Russian Comfrey Live Root Cuttings, Perennial

Discover the incredible utility of bocking 14 comfrey plant roots, a must-have for any eco-conscious gardener. Known scientifically as Symphytum officinale, and often referred to as Russian Comfrey or Sterile Comfrey, this remarkable perennial offers a wealth of benefits without the worry of uncontrolled spreading from seed. Our offering includes 10 packs of 4-inch roots, ready for planting, ensuring a robust start to your comfrey patch. This specific variety, ‘Bocking 14’, is prized for its high nutrient accumulation and vigorous growth, making it an invaluable asset for improving soil health and supporting other plants in your garden ecosystem. Planting these bocking 14 comfrey plant roots is an investment in a more sustainable and productive garden.

Originating from Europe and Asia, comfrey has a long history of use in agriculture and traditional medicine. The ‘Bocking 14’ cultivar was developed for its sterility, meaning it won’t produce viable seeds, thus preventing it from becoming invasive. This makes it an ideal choice for gardeners who want to harness the power of comfrey without concerns about its spread. Its deep taproot system allows it to draw nutrients from deep within the soil, making them available to other plants when its leaves are used as mulch or in compost. Embrace the power of nature with these versatile bocking 14 comfrey plant roots.

Key Benefits

Adding bocking 14 comfrey plant roots to your garden offers numerous advantages, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable growing environment. This hardy perennial is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking natural ways to enhance their soil and plant vitality.

• Natural Soil Enrichment: The large leaves of bocking 14 comfrey plant roots are rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. When chopped and dropped as mulch, they slowly release these nutrients back into the soil, acting as a natural, slow-release fertilizer for surrounding plants.
• Compost Accelerator: Comfrey leaves are an excellent ‘green’ material for compost piles. Their high nitrogen content helps to heat up the compost, speeding up the decomposition process and creating nutrient-rich humus faster.
• Dynamic Accumulator: The deep taproots of comfrey can mine essential trace minerals from deep in the subsoil, making these nutrients available to shallower-rooted plants when the comfrey leaves are harvested and applied to the garden.
• Sterile Variety: As a sterile comfrey plant, ‘Bocking 14’ does not produce viable seeds, preventing unwanted spread and making it easier to manage in your garden compared to other comfrey varieties.
• Vigorous Growth: Once established, comfrey grows rapidly, providing a continuous supply of biomass for mulching and composting throughout the growing season. This ensures you always have fresh material on hand.
• Pollinator Attraction: Although primarily grown for its leaves, comfrey produces small bell-shaped flowers that can attract beneficial pollinators to your garden, supporting overall biodiversity.
• Erosion Control: Its extensive root system helps to stabilize soil, making it valuable for preventing erosion on slopes or in areas prone to runoff.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your bocking 14 comfrey plant roots is straightforward, as this perennial is known for its resilience and vigorous growth once established. To ensure optimal development, plant the 4-inch roots horizontally, about 2–3 inches deep, in loose, well-drained soil. A sunny to partial shade location is ideal; while comfrey can tolerate some shade, full sun will encourage the most prolific leaf production. Proper soil preparation is key; enriching the planting area with organic matter will provide a strong foundation for these nutrient-hungry plants.

Watering is crucial during the initial establishment phase. Keep the soil consistently moist after planting and throughout the first few weeks to help the roots take hold. Once mature, comfrey is quite drought-tolerant due to its deep taproot system, but regular watering during dry spells will maximize leaf yield. As for soil type, comfrey thrives in a wide range but prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. These plants are hardy perennials, resprouting year after year, typically in USDA zones 3-9. Minimal fertilization is needed once established, as comfrey itself acts as a dynamic accumulator, bringing nutrients to the surface. For an even more robust harvest, consider a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring.

Harvesting comfrey leaves can begin once the plant is well-established, usually a few months after planting. Cut the leaves about 2 inches above the ground, making sure to leave some foliage to allow the plant to regenerate. You can typically get 3-5 harvests per season. Using russian comfrey for garden applications like mulch or compost tea is highly effective. Watch out for slugs and snails when plants are young, though mature comfrey is generally pest-resistant. Understanding the many bocking 14 comfrey uses will help you integrate this valuable plant into your garden design effectively.

Size & Details

This offering includes 10 packs of bocking 14 comfrey plant roots, each root measuring approximately 4 inches long. These bare root divisions are ready for immediate planting upon arrival and are the most efficient way to establish a comfrey patch, as the ‘Bocking 14’ variety is sterile and cannot be grown from seed. Once planted, these hardy perennials will quickly develop into large, bushy plants, typically reaching 2-3 feet in height and spreading 2-4 feet wide within one to two growing seasons. The vigorous growth habit ensures a continuous supply of nutrient-rich leaves throughout the warmer months. These plants are shipped dormant and will leaf out rapidly after planting in suitable conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How do I plant these bocking 14 comfrey plant roots? A: Plant the 4-inch roots horizontally about 2-3 inches deep in loose, well-drained soil. Ensure the planting site receives full sun to partial shade for best results.
• Q: Is this sterile comfrey plant invasive? A: No, the ‘Bocking 14’ variety is sterile and does not produce viable seeds, so it will not spread from seed and become invasive. It spreads only through root division, making it easier to manage.
• Q: What are the main bocking 14 comfrey uses in the garden? A: The primary uses include making nutrient-rich mulch, compost, and liquid fertilizer (comfrey tea). Its leaves are excellent for enriching soil and feeding other plants.
• Q: How much sunlight does russian comfrey for garden need? A: Comfrey thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. More sun generally leads to more vigorous growth and higher leaf production.
• Q: When is the best time to plant comfrey roots? A: The best time to plant comfrey roots is in early spring or fall, allowing them to establish before extreme summer heat or winter cold.
• Q: How quickly will the comfrey grow after planting? A: Once established, comfrey grows very vigorously. You can typically expect your first harvest of leaves within a few months of planting.
• Q: Does symphytum officinale require a lot of water? A: While establishing, keep the soil consistently moist. Mature plants are quite drought-tolerant due to their deep root system, but regular watering benefits leaf production.
• Q: What USDA hardiness zones are suitable for Bocking 14 Comfrey? A: This hardy perennial is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, tolerating a wide range of climates.
• Q: Can I grow bocking 14 comfrey plant roots in containers? A: While possible, comfrey has a deep taproot and prefers ample space. If growing in containers, choose very large, deep pots to accommodate its root system.
• Q: How often can I harvest comfrey leaves? A: You can typically harvest leaves 3-5 times per growing season, cutting them back to about 2 inches above the ground.