Comfrey

History

Russian Comfrey (Bocking 14) is a sterile hybrid that was developed by Lawrence D. Hills in the 1950’s. His book, The Comfrey Report, is recognized world-wide as the definitive work about Comfrey. Humans have for centuries used this plant as animal feed, and as an herbal and medicinal for livestock and fowl.

Uses

These are ways you can use this plant in your landscape or farm:
* as a replacement for Hosta
* medicinal – to make poultices for people
* animal forage
* the flowers attract bees
* in a permaculture inspired tree guild

Design

You can easily place Comfrey in cottage gardens, and other informal garden styles. It can be used in more formal gardens to provide soft lines with minimal maintenance. Similar to Hosta, it can be used as a ground cover, yet does not spread, but without the heavy deer predation. Comfrey is considered both an ornamental, and a medicinal, and is widely adaptable.

Benefits

As a dynamic accumulator, Comfrey rejuvenates soil by pulling up nutrients, and also provides cool shade for tree roots. It is also a mulch plant. When the leaves are cut, and then placed around a tree, moisture is retained, which is important during summer’s dry hot days.

Parting Thoughts

After planting and during the first year of growth, do not cut the plants leaves and limit flowering. The stalks can be soaked and used as fertilizer so that no unintended rooting occurs. Cutting leaves for mulch and preparing a liquid fertilizer can begin during the plants second year.

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