Russian Comfrey Bocking 4 Live Root Cuttings - Perennial Garden Plant

Russian Comfrey 'Bocking 4' is a robust perennial plant prized by gardeners for its vigorous growth and versatile garden uses. This cultivar is known for its deep taproot and broad, hairy green leaves that form a dense clump, making it an excellent choice for permaculture systems, companion planting, and as a dynamic accumulator. The sterile flowers attract pollinators, adding ecological value to your garden.

Bocking 4 is particularly noted for its high protein content and is often grown as a fodder crop or for making nutrient-rich compost tea. Its fast growth and tolerance of poor soils make it a low-maintenance addition to any garden, though it can spread if not managed. Use it as a border plant, in a dedicated comfrey bed, or as a chop-and-drop mulch source.

Plant Features

• Perennial plant that returns year after year
• Deep taproot that mines nutrients from subsoil
• Broad, hairy leaves with high protein content
• Sterile flowers that attract beneficial insects
• Vigorous growth habit, suitable for permaculture

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Symphytum × uplandicum
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Adaptable to most soils, prefers moist, well-drained loam
• Water Requirements: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• Growth Habit: Clump-forming
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
• Mature Height: 3-5 feet
• Spacing: 24-36 inches apart

Planting & Care

Plant root cuttings directly in the garden after the last frost, or start them indoors in pots for earlier growth. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the root cutting vertically, with the top (the end closest to the crown) about 1 inch below the soil surface. Backfill and water thoroughly. Keep the soil consistently moist until new growth appears.

Once established, comfrey is low-maintenance. Water during prolonged dry spells, and cut back plants after flowering to encourage fresh leaf growth. Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor. Be aware that comfrey can spread; consider planting in a contained area or using root barriers if you want to limit its spread.

What's Included

This listing includes live root cuttings of Russian Comfrey 'Bocking 4' (Symphytum × uplandicum). The quantity is not specified; please refer to the product title and options for the exact number of cuttings you will receive.