Russian comfrey Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14'
ABOUT
Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14', commonly known as Russian comfrey 'Bocking 14', is a robust perennial plant that displays a dense clump of dark green, hairy leaves. The foliage is characterized by a rough texture and an elongated, lance-shaped appearance, which often has a slightly wrinkled look. The leaves emerge from a central point, creating a lush, rounded shape to the plant. The Russian comfrey 'Bocking 14' also produces striking flowers during its blooming period, which come in a range of colors such as pink, blue, or purple, and are bell-shaped, hanging in clusters from arching stems. The blooms are small and tubular, arranged in symmetrical whorls, which can attract a variety of pollinators to the garden, especially bees. The plant has a strong, deep root system which is known for its ability to penetrate into the soil and forage for nutrients. Overall, the Russian comfrey 'Bocking 14' has a hardy and resilient look, which, coupled with its vibrant flowers, makes it an attractive addition to gardens designed for productivity or wildlife support.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Boraginaceae
Synonyms
Russian Comfrey, Bocking 14 Comfrey
Common names
Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14'.
ToxicityTo humans
Comfrey, the most common name for Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14', contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are toxic to humans. These compounds can be hepatotoxic, meaning they can damage the liver. If ingested in significant quantities, comfrey can lead to the development of liver-related issues such as veno-occlusive disease, cirrhosis, and potentially liver failure. Symptoms of comfrey poisoning may include but are not limited to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and signs of liver dysfunction such as jaundice.
To pets
Comfrey is toxic to pets due to its pyrrolizidine alkaloids content. Ingestion of comfrey by pets can cause liver damage, similarly to its effects on humans. Symptoms of comfrey poisoning in pets may include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal discomfort, and signs of liver failure like jaundice. Chronic exposure can lead to severe liver damage, including cirrhosis and hepatic failure.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- High-yield Fodder: The plant is a high-yield fodder crop, providing nutritious feed for livestock such as cattle and poultry.
- Soil Improvement: Known for its deep roots, it helps in improving soil structure and fertility by bringing up nutrients from the subsoil and adding organic matter.
- Companion Planting: Supports and enhances the growth of nearby plants, and can be used in orchards and gardens to assist other plants.
- Attracts Beneficial Insects: It attracts beneficial insects such as bees for pollination, improving the productivity of gardens and crops.
- Natural Fertilizer: The leaves can be used to make a 'comfrey tea' liquid fertilizer, providing a sustainable and organic alternative to chemical fertilizers.
- Weed Suppression: The dense growth habit helps to suppress weeds around the planting area, reducing the need for herbicidal intervention.
- Erosion Control: Its root system helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on banks and slopes.
Medical Properties- Allantoin content: Promotes skin cell regeneration and has soothing properties.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Reduces inflammation and may soothe irritated tissues.
- Wound healing: Historically used to promote the healing of cuts, bruises, and broken bones.
- Astringent properties: Can potentially contract skin tissues and manage bleeding from minor wounds.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Comfrey (Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14') leaves can be used as a natural fertilizer by creating a comfrey tea or liquid fertilizer which is high in potassium, accelerating the growth and fruiting of plants.
- Comfrey leaves can be added to the compost pile, where they act as a compost activator due to their high nitrogen content, helping to break down other organic materials more rapidly.
- The plant can be used in permaculture as a 'chop and drop' mulch, where its leaves are cut and left to decompose, adding nutrients directly to the soil and suppressing weeds.
- Comfrey's deep root system brings up nutrients from deep within the soil, and when the leaves decompose, they release these nutrients at the surface for other plants to use.
- Comfrey can be used in orchards and among fruit bushes to provide a living mulch that deters weeds and gradually fertilizes the soil with its decaying leaves.
- The fibrous stems of comfrey can be used in crafting, specifically in making a rough, durable paper.
- Its ability to grow in poor soil makes comfrey an ideal candidate for phytoremediation, the process of using plants to improve contaminated soil over time.
- Comfrey leaves can serve as a green layer in lasagna gardening, a no-dig, no-till organic gardening method that creates rich, well-drained beds.
- When planted on slopes and banks, comfrey's dense roots can help in soil erosion control by stabilizing the soil and preventing runoff.
- Comfrey can be used as an animal fodder crop, particularly for poultry, providing a protein-rich green feed supplement.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Comfrey is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Comfrey is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14', commonly known as Russian Comfrey, is often associated with healing due to its historical usage in herbal medicine to treat wounds and reduce inflammation.
- Protection: Because Russian Comfrey has sturdy and deep roots, it can symbolize protection and safety, representing the ability to establish strong foundations and withstand adversity.
- Resilience: This plant is known for its ability to thrive in various soil conditions, symbolizing resilience and the capacity to adapt and recover from challenges.
- Fertility: Russian Comfrey is used as a fertilizer in agriculture due to its high levels of nitrogen and potassium, making it symbolic of fertility and growth.
WaterFor the comfrey (Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14'), watering should be done thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the active growth period in spring and summer, comfrey typically needs watering once every week, with about 1 to 1.5 gallons per plant, depending on the weather conditions. In hotter, drier periods, increase watering frequency to prevent the soil from drying out completely. During the dormant season in fall and winter, reduce watering to every other week or less, as comfrey requires less moisture when it's not actively growing.
LightComfrey thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for comfrey would be an area where it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily, which will help ensure robust growth. While it can tolerate some shade, too little light can lead to leggy plants and less vigorous growth.
TemperatureComfrey is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It performs well in temperatures between 50°F and 85°F, which are the ideal growing conditions. However, comfrey can survive in temperatures as low as -40°F and as high as 90°F. It's important to protect the plant from extreme heat by providing extra water and shade if needed.
PruningPruning comfrey is generally done to control its size, remove damaged or dead leaves, and encourage new growth. It is best to prune comfrey in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut back the old foliage to a few inches above the ground. Comfrey can be cut back several times throughout the growing season if used for its leaves, as this will stimulate new growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilComfrey (Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14') thrives best in a soil mix that is rich in organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, with good drainage. A pH level between 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for comfrey. To create the best soil mix, combine two parts garden soil, one part compost, and one part sand or perlite to ensure proper drainage.
RepottingComfrey, also known as Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14', generally does not require frequent repotting as it is often grown outdoors. It is best to divide and repot comfrey every few years when clumps become overcrowded, typically every 4 to 5 years, to maintain its vigor and health.
Humidity & MistingComfrey (Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14') is adaptable to a wide range of humidity conditions and doesn't require a specific humidity level. It is quite resilient and tolerant of the typical outdoor humidity in the regions where it can be grown.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow Comfrey in well-lit area, water regularly, and ensure good drainage.
Outdoor
Plant Comfrey in full sun to part shade, in fertile, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleComfrey 'Bocking 14' (Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14') begins its life cycle with seed germination, although this cultivar is often propagated from root cuttings to maintain its characteristics. After germination or root cutting development, the plant enters a vegetative stage characterized by the growth of the deep taproot and the emergence of broad, hairy leaves. During spring and early summer, the plant reaches the flowering stage, producing clusters of bell-shaped purple or blue flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. After flowering, the plant may produce seeds, but 'Bocking 14' is largely sterile, so it primarily spreads through its root system or human-assisted propagation. As a perennial, comfrey 'Bocking 14' dies back to the ground during autumn, with the roots surviving winter dormancy. In the following spring, new growth will emerge from the rootstock, repeating the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Comfrey, specifically the Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14', is most commonly propagated using root cuttings. The ideal time for propagation is in late fall to early spring, when the plant is dormant. To propagate using root cuttings, gardeners should dig up a portion of the parent plant's root system and select strong, healthy pieces of root that are about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in length. These root sections are then buried horizontally or vertically in potting soil or directly in the ground, ensuring that the top of the cutting is just below the soil surface. Covered with soil and watered thoroughly, the cuttings will develop roots and shoots and grow into new comfrey plants over the next few weeks, depending on environmental conditions. This method is effective and efficient because comfrey has a robust root system that readily regenerates from cuttings.
