Comfrey - Leaf Harvest and Stacking Function
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ส.ค. 2018
- www.edibleacres.org
We plant comfrey extensively at our multiple sites. In this video I show the harvest and use of leaves as a nutrient rich mulch for a new small berry orchard planting and the incredibly rich, weed free soil available for seeding a fall crop into! So many layers of value from one plant!
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Edible Acres is a full service permaculture nursery located in the Finger Lakes area of NY state. We grow all layers of perennial food forest systems and provide super hardy, edible, useful, medicinal, easy to propagate, perennial plants for sale locally or for shipping around the country…
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Happy growing!
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I wish I lived in a community where everyone loved to do this and we could just go around sharing ideas and stuff
Older comment - I wish neighbors would dedicate to growing something we could barter back and forth.
@@ratedmark4704 That's a good idea for sure! We are moving back to Kenya and that happens a lot, so eco villages have created their own currency even
Thank you for your videos great info, FYI I planted a packet of comfrey seeds that I got on line I got 23 plants out of the packet. I lifted 5 of the plants the following year washed the root and split them into fragments as you showed in your video. I then planted the fragments along my fence which has very poor soil and weeds galore on the other side of the fence. I planted the fragments every 14 inches, shovel in wiggled the shovel back and forward in and then threw the fragments in then closed the cut with my foot. Fragments planted 136 / 110 have taken brilliant so next spring I will dig up a few established plants and re plant fragments or crowns in the 26 gaps. Sorry to ramble but had to let you know BIG THANK YOU FOR SHARING. all the best from Bulgaria
So cool you had great results like that!
I live in the mountains of New York State and quite close down the street in the Wilds grow comfrey on both sides of the street. When I moved here I grabbed some just as a pretty plant and put it in places in my yard and the bottom of my driveway. I had no idea that it could be used as a weed hedge to make sure that no weeds grow into the garden. I am now going to change my tune and put it on two sides of the garden that are close to the field so I can stop the weeds from entering in ...the other two sides already have perennials and a greenhouse so that might not work on those closer sides. Thank you so much for this new information! I wish we weren't going into winter! I'd be digging now!
Thanks for taking the time to post an interesting video about Comfrey.
Comfrey Fertiliser:
I grow the Bocking 14 Russian comfrey variety in a 6x4 metre (18x12 feet) plot.
I use it as a fertiliser source both in solid and liquid form.
In the solid form, cut and gather the leaves and stalks from about 50mm (2 inches) above ground level - the plant will grow back again very quickly.
Place the leaves and stalks at the bottom of say, the potato trench, tread down and cover with about 25mm (1 inch) of soil before placing the seed potatoes on top.
To make the concentrated liquid form that does not smell when producing, use a plastic dustbin with a lid.
Drill a 6mm (1/4 inch) drain hole in the bottom centre of the bin.
Scrunch up some chicken wire and place in the bottom of the bin to prevent the drain hole from being blocked.
Place the bin on a stand so that a 5 litre clear or opaque plastic container can be placed underneath the drain hole. A small filler funnel in the top of the container better catches the drips of concentrate.
Fill the bin completely with the comfrey leaves and stalks, press down and place a flat stone on top to compress the leaves.
DO NOT ADD ANY WATER!
Put the lid on the bin.
After about 14 days (here in the UK), a brown liquid concentrate will begin to drip from the drain hole into the container.
Using a clear or opaque container lets you see when the container is getting full and needs to be replaced.
Add more comfrey leaves and stalks to the top of the bin as the level drops to keep the process going for as long as required.
Dilute the concentrate about 1 to 40 (I use 100cc concentrate to 4.5 litre water) into a watering can.
Use this as a liquid feed for all your plants and vegetables about once a fortnight.
Store the sealed concentrate in a cool, dark place and it will keep for at least 2 years.
For further old-school info on organic gardening, read Lawrence D Hills book “Grow Your Own Fruit and Vegetables”.
This was written at the time of the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA) which has now evolved into ‘Garden Organic’. Website link is:
www.gardenorganic.org.uk
I love that you stopped for the spiders. I would do the same. I’m actually going out to propagate more comfrey as a barrier today, so I’m glad I watched. This video got me pumped for more greens!
Excellent comfrey vids, thank you for sharing your experiments and experiences!
Apparently, even fresh cut comfrey leaves perform as and even better than compost. Which is interesting. I suppose that's why a fresh leaf simply tied over a wound is such a quick way to get back to work! Leave it a couple days and not only is there no pain and a cut or burn healed but, no scar!
Wow those plants look happy with that chop and drop application…think I will give this a try on my very new garden…thank you for your expertise and knowledge …stay blessed
Can I just say I admire that you can do this with bare hands and arms :)
I hear ya... I can get scratchy for sure!
We planted about 700sqm of comfrey in a patch, one foot apart and we had around 8 weeks of drought here in ....IRELAND! So they didnt do well until the rain came back. Looking good for the harvest now. Hopefully with established 1st year crowns from the get go next year, that spacing will drown out any weeds.
Great video.
Good luck!
Interesting and informative video. I've been growing comfrey in a 4' x 4' bed for 4 years. I use it as a mulch primarily and get at least five crops each season. I have the "Bocking 14" variety which is "sterile" and doesn't spread. I understand that it easy to propagate with root cuttings although I haven't tried it yet. I didn't know until I saw your video that it can act as a weed/grass barrier and that's a perfect application for me as I have turf grass surrounded by a wire fence and the weeds outside the fence are always fighting with the turf grass. I think I'll try planting comfrey cuttings along the fence as a barrier. Thanks for the info.
Thank you so much for this vid. Exactly what I needed.
So so glad!
Looking forward to receiving my comfrey roots cuttings from you this fall to start my own border. Thank you!
We're looking forward to getting them to you!
You keep putting out all this information and sources of inspiration. Thanks!
Our pleasure. You notice in the videos we're actually doing work, so we can afford the time to make videos as long as we are working too! Stacking functions :)
Very helpful thanks. I haven't grown comfrey before but clearly I need to put it on my list this spring.
Fabulous new insight. Thank-you so very much!
THE POWER OF COMFREY! Very clearly showcased!
It's a beast!
Mate, I've got comfrey patch envy, your patch is bigger than mine! 😁
Here in the hyper arid areas of australia, I find that during the summer time my comfrey mulch oxidizes before it decomposes. I've overcome this by laying other mulch on top (eg prunings, grass clippings, etc). The stuff on top oxidizes while the soil life gets to work breaking down the comfrey underneath. 😊
Makes a ton of sense. In the heat of summer sometimes I mulch my mulch with a little mulch! :)
Fantastic video! Thank you so much for sharing this information. ❤️🙏☺️
Started watching your vids and love your work gained knowledge, your relaxed approach, respect for wildlife, and the way you explain things, makes it easy to take in and remember. Been growing stuff for years but your composting and bio char has got my interest rekindled, so many new things and methods to try, especially love the hens and composting, terrific ideas, so thank you so much, can't wait for the weather to dry, from waterlogged England.
I am inspired each year by watching this... I planted my comfrey last year, so hopefully this year it will grow and mature
They can be a little slow to get up and running, then they really take off!
I'm starting year two of comfrey. Excited to start spreading it and using it for its real power.
Wonderful plant for sure.
Nice... going to start planting some of this end of the week.
Excited to see your update. I planted some rootlets around my garden a year and a half ago but had them spaced pretty far. I am planning on digging one or two plants up sometime this fall to use the roots to fill in the gaps and in other areas around my property. Really hoping this will help immensely next year with the grass creeping into the garden.
I hope so too! Should do a great job over time.
Can you get cuttings from it the 1st year?
I'm sold on this comfrey through your videos and the experience you've shared that it wont multiply unless its tilled, etc. My thought is to plant it on the pasture fence line that separates our fields from the barn lot & garden area to keep weeds and trees from growing into the fences. I've read cows wont eat it so it should look beautiful and be readily available to cut there.
I am trying to make the comfrey take over a part of my garden (nettles have taken it already over...): I adore this idea to let it do its thing and then control it in return to use this planting opportunity that it seems to offer.
Excellent video! Thank you.
Only planted my Comfrey this year, how long until they are big multistemed crowns?
This video was made from a patch planted 1.5 years ago. BUT, it is very moist and rich where they are so they are quite happy. 2 years is a reasonable idea for how long before they are really taking off.
I love growing my own mulch, although comfrey has failed for our site. It's too dry and I don't have the water to spare for it to establish. On hot, dry sites, you're best growing a hardy nitrogen fixing tree. Something that's all leaf, needs more access to shade. But if I could work with comfrey, I would! It's great seeing you work with it as a mulch.
Good point. Dry/hot climates do not seem to help comfrey at all...
@@edibleacres will it grow in a lightly sandy plot with morning shade and afternoon sun?
I live in Dublin Ireland and I use comfrey plant as a tea for feeding my plants...it’s incredible. Particularly useful for feeding indoor plants, just cut down the comfrey plant...here in Dublin did it yesterday,,,20th April, cover with water, leave for three weeks covered in a bucket. Then strain into bottles. It’s really useful as a feed, diluted 10 or 12 to 1. It stinks to high heaven though,,,,,but it’s great stuff. Try it. Berni
Great tip here, thank you for sharinig!
Really great ideas in this video!! In my experience it would go way faster with a machete. Thanks for the inspiration
Some of my comfreys will receive their fourth cut next days. :) Comfrey is really a wonder plant! Btw. I had used this opportunity to mulch with old twigs before adding the comfrey leaves.
Seems like a great scenario you are designing!
Not really, my space is very limited but I have an abundance of twigs and branches ;) Woody material for mykkhoriza.
I've just recently discovered your channel and have been since going through all your videos. Great content full of diversity. I intend to start my own food forest soon. I do have one question, I realised while watching that you have tons of wild edibles on that south side, ever thought of using them? Be blessed
We do sometimes. My wife Sasha is into the wild plants and works with them as time allows.
EdibleAcres hi, I, too, just found your channel. I will be getting some comfrey crowns this week and can’t wait til it re-grows next Spring. You got me wondering if the comfrey leaves are a good mulch/weed barrier for asparagus and blackberries. I battle weeds in them every year.
Do you have experience "stacking" comfrey as fodder - next to a fence like that where chickens are on the other side. So they can harvest all season long thru the fence? All my poutry loved comfrey as did all other species.
I've tried and failed, despite very gentle and concentrated care, to propagate comfrey from soft wood (leaf) cuttings. I don't think it's possible. Really impressive display and a pleasure to observe from the beginning to now.
I don't think it would ever root from leaf cuttings. Root pieces 100%, almost scary, how well it roots, but leaves feel very safe as not rooting...
I regularly root from "soft wood", but you have to use the flower stalks. 2-inch+ piece, put "correct way up" in propagation mix. Have a leaf node (leaves removed) under the soil level. I get about a 90% strike rate on cuttings, the ones at least a fingerwidth in diameter seem to do better. Still working on perfecting the technique, coz it's saving me from having to dig up the rhizomes. 😊
@@belindaroadley I will try that. Didn't think about flower stalks.
@@LolitasGarden Have fun with it! 😊😊😊
Loved the video, very informative. A question though, and I hope it's not a silly one, but how did you stop the comfrey growing into the fenced garden?
VERY reasonable question. The key is to NEVER dig near comfrey, only build up. So on the inside of the fence we dump compost and seed it out, and weed very shallowly by hand, and have no problems. If we dug there we'd be asking for trouble!
@@edibleacres OK, great. I have recently purchased here in Australia some Russian Comfrey root and look forward to seeing it grow. I must also say that I love your other videos to and subscribed to your channel. What you do is inspiring, informative and straight out awesome, so keep up the good work. 👍👍👍🍀
Sean-- great video! I see someone else left in the comments asking about the effectiveness of Comfrey being used as a barrier for Bermuda grass and that was my question as well-- We just fenced in about an acre in the Missouri Ozarks for our garden-- and I have learned we have a couple of very invasive grasses. I just started to plant some comfrey root cuttings around the edge of the fence, inspired by your previous video-- and I have sheet mulched with thick cardboard and 12 inches of wood chips about 2/3 of the garden area so far (and working on getting it all done by fall)--- Any thoughts on Comfrey vs Bermuda grass...? Thank you for any thoughts you have on this!
Comfrey seems to be a potent barrier for almost every herbaceous plant I've found. It does take a little bit to get up to speed, so sheet mulching the area first, prepping the planting area, and then putting in comfrey with a follow up of weeding until it gets going would be helpful.
I am catching on watching and wanted to say that I had a small stroke that set me back a bit and I saw that my package of comfrey roots had come. My husband forgot to tell me and they were there for almost a week. I was horrified but when I opened the package, there they were, beautiful roots with tiny shoots. I am getting 5 elderberry plants tomorrow from a local nursery I found and will plant some comfrey with them. I have a question as to their rhizome blocking power, will comfrey block Bermuda grass? Probably not but I thought to ask. Anyway, thank you for the great roots and excellent packaging. I look forward to next year and an amazing harvest.
Sorry to hear about your health challenges, but excited to hear you are on the mend and the plants were able to wait for you! They are kind that way. I don't know if comfrey can stop bermuda grass. But I would suspect that it would be able to make a difference over time... If you try it, please share notes on how it performs for you...
I live in southern New Hampshire. When should I dig up existing plants and plant the root fragments? Thank you!
You really can do it whenever. We like early fall so they have time to establish over winter.
Can the comfrey be used at this time of the year to mulch around many plants? Like newly planted roses, berries perennials Etc? Thank you in advance
I am curious what you planted on the other side of the fence and how you harvested it to prevent accidentally hitting comfrey roots and spreading them into your garden? Great idea!
If we build the soil up and do annuals on the other side that don't require digging to harvest (tomatoes, cukes, etc etc) then it seems really compatible.
My comfrey came up, not quite to what you show in the beginning the video but maybe 6-8 inches, so at least what you show with 1st year ones later, and then was eaten down to nothing, presumably by deer. It didn't occur to me that it would be so delicious. I may have to put some in a more enclosed place.
I would be very surprised if they weren't able to still grow back through that and make it happen for themselves.
Your comfrey looks really good!!!! It’s in a very happy place!!! I haven’t been able to find any seeds. Any suggestions of where to get good cuttings or seeds? By the way, do you have both the flowering purple and white comfrey?
We'll offer plants for fall shipping soon. Inventory at edibleacres.org will be updated sometime at the end of June... We do have the white flowering comfrey as well, 'Hidcote' I believe its called.
@@edibleacres loo
I'm always hearing people warning not to plant [pick a plant] because they'll take over, uncontrollable, etcetera. Sunchokes, for example, comfrey, for another. So I would LOVE to have both of these growing such that my problem was controlling them. My sunchokes in NJ died off completely over two years. Here in SW MI, my sunchokes, taken from properties not far from our site, one of which has trouble controlling them and letting us take away tubers by the gallon is part of her control system, are barely holding their own. Spreading a little bit in some areas, but basically no more than replacement of the previous year's growth. We aren't getting a harvest from these, they're not doing well enough. And our Comfrey? Last year it nearly died from being shaded out by sunchokes - which, as I noted, aren't doing all that well themselves ;) Our one, lonely comfrey plant has yet to get much bigger than a happy, healthy dandelion. I would Love to have it growing rampantly and giving me root cuttings to spread it around - not happening ;)
Could be the soil needs a bunch of nutrients it doesn't have. They are powerful plants once established, but if they are in harsh conditions it can be rough. Perhaps focusing lawn clippings around them, or adding compost, adding urine, something to give more soil life to them as they get going, could help them lock in and be the lovely nuisance plants they can be!
@@edibleacres You're right about deficiencies, of course. We're a 100 percent sand soil, with about a hundred years of forest duff over most of the area. On the lower areas (that are super wet, loads of vernal ponds, water table within inches of ground level) the carbon blackening goes 18 inches deep, more in some places. On the slope where I've tried to establish these plants, it's more like four to six inches. And it's not just fungally dominated, this place has a wider variety of fungi growing than I've ever experienced anyplace I've lived ;) All of which informs my efforts to transition a small portion, couple of acres, over toward grasses, a more bacterial balanced soil, suited for annual crops and perennials that don't like woodlands. Toward that end, rampant biomass generators and dynamic accumulators sound like a great idea to grow appropriate mulch, material for composting that can be tailored toward a bacteria heavy compost. So Sunnchokes and comfrey seemed like a great idea - but they need the conditions to thrive, that I need them to thrive to produce ;)
How about putting wood chips under the comfrey to help with the weeding and at the same time building good soil?
That would be great. Comfrey doesn't really need it to help with weeds, but it would enjoy the extra nutrient over time I'm sure.
Do you think comfrey would work as a root barrier to Himalayan blackberries and field bindweed? There is a lot coming from three sides of my property, and I've been trying to think of a good, easy way to prevent their spread. Thanks!
I haven't worked with them so I don't know, but it is a potent plant for sure so one of the possible plants to consider...
Will I be able to grow this comfrey in Texas?
Did you plant the original Comfrey plants as crowns or as root cuttings? How long ago did you plant them relative to this video?
Can't remember exactly, but most likely it would have been root cuttings since they are most abundant and work fine. Harvest normally happens in year 2 onward.
OMG! What an amazing technique! First time to watch you..... you've got a new sub.
The Russian Bocking Comfrey, is not the invasive species of native Comfrey. If careful, as you are being, it can be manageable.
I just checked your website, to purchase from you, but you're all sold out. When might you have more available? I'm moving to a new area, and really want to have this plant in my garden.
I've got a chainlink fence, where I'd like to plant raspberries, but that has nothing but high grass, in ground that has no top soil, right now. I think it's mostly clay, but I haven't moved yet, and haven't had the opportunity to analyze it.
TIA, for any response you may offer.
We will update inventory for fall 2021 shippnig on September 1st. Should have good numbers.
Comfrey sounds like a nice fit for that context, hope it works out great for you, and welcome to the channel :)
How well do you think the line of comfrey would work to hold back burmuda grass? My neighbors lawn is creeping into my gardens.
I would think over time it would work to keep it from moving in. Be aware that year 1 or 2 you'd still have to weed it, but once it locks in it would really help keep the grass out I'm sure.
My experience with bermuda is that nothing will stop it other than digging or smothering the roots. The problem is the runners grow like a tenacious vine that will crawl through and over and under any plants, even in extremely dense old esablished beds of liriope. I've spent years controlling bermuda and if you can't dig out the mother plant you'll just have to cut/dig the perimeter of your beds several times a year.
You got that right! My husband works so hard to keep his Bermuda lawn looking luscious and I try everything I can think of that's natural to kill it out of my garden/orchard. He gave me his "best lawn spot" for my garden...so he says😂😂😂
Have you considered going in with a shovel and just cutting the roots of the existing plants where there is a gap? I have planted comfrey this past spring and plan to go in with a shovel and just cut the roots in between the plants to encourage new growth and not dig them up....I don't know if that will work but I just want mine to fill in the gaps. I do want another row in front of the row that is growing. I plan to just stick a shovel about a foot in front of the row and cut the roots and leave them in the ground. Theoretically that should work. I would be interested to know what you think of that idea.
Reasonable idea, I've done it a bit. A little dig and a pop and there are more plants! Just needing to be careful since it can pop up a bit out of line or spread a little that way. If you don't mind that you should be fine...
Thanks for the feedback. I hadn't thought too much of keeping it all in a line....and I keep wishing I had more in other locations... I did go in with a shovel on a few plants ...we'll see what happens. I will most likely start digging up more roots and making more plants to put where I'm going to use them. The more I learn about comfrey the more I want to cultivate.
What month did you do this in? And/or what month do you recommend mulching comfrey for the garden?
Mid summer most likely, perhaps June/July. Same month!
Can you plant comfery around blackberry? I don't know how the canes would react
I think that would be a compatible combo.
good video. What do you do to keep deer from eating your elderberry and currants along your southern garden edge? In MD I have been decimated by deer eating elderberry and currants (and everything else). Close to a do-over. Any advice or help appreciated.
You might be interested in this video from ABC acres where they outline their living fence system and sum up quite a few species they use to keep deer out and animals in. Thorny or unpalatable plants on the fence line or mixed in between your desired plants could help keep wildlife out. Just my two pennies worth of thinking. Good luck!
th-cam.com/video/pm0qNnBj-JI/w-d-xo.html
Fototrotter those tree's he planted will shade the garden substantially in time and create wonderful hangouts for rabbits.
Henry Yaffe 25# fishing line 2 strand fence. If the fence is not practical urine is a great fertilizer and deters the deer for elderberry bushes.
@@heterodox3487
Nothing an uneaten/unmaintained elderberry bush wouldn't do... Pruning and mulching with thorny bushes/branches (ie ilex aquifolium) has historically always been used to keep rodents away from valuable crops or under hay stacks, under unthreshed grain stalk piles etc...
I'd say we've been lucky a bit so far, probably the deep weeds has helped hide the plants a bit. Black Currants I've found almost never ever get attacked by deer so we have a number of them in there. Elderberries with European descent have much less predation than pure american elder (Sambucus Nigra types are European) so we go for those in deer dominant areas and they tend to be able to grow through it. You could consider co-planting mints, garlic/onion family perennials, and other intense herbs (elecampane near elder could help). Plant dense, and from free/low cost cuttings and you can grow through the pressure I bet...
we need some comfrey rhizomes please?
Very good idea I like it, a must try. But I would give some to my chickens. I know they have food scraps, but that don't come close to the benefit they would get from highly nutritious organic Comfrey don't you agree:) thx again
Sure, it's just they've got so much right now that it felt a little over the top, but it's nice to know we can get another cutting for them in the fall.
Did the comfrey come back same season. Would love to know please 🙏
Yes, they come back over and over again with many cuts...
@@edibleacres thank you so much for letting me know. 🙏
Comprey only good for compost ? Any other of benefit , ?
I know this video is 2 years old, but I'm hoping you will answer me this one question. Have you had any issues with the Comfrey roots spreading under your fence into your garden? I am about to plant out several Comfrey plants (Bocking 14) and am considering putting it along the outside of my garden fence just as you have. I'm a little hesitant though because I'm afraid the roots will spread underground into the garden.
Good question... IF you dig in the garden within a foot (or even a few feet) of where the comfrey is growing you can anticipate that it may pop up in the garden after that. BUT, if you do not dig with a shovel or till or do anything like that in the garden bed on the iniside of the fence it will not spread. You may consider a permanent perennial plantinig on the inside of the fence so you don't have to dig again!
@@edibleacres Thank you! I don't think I want to risk that happening. Right now I have a no till garden but I don't want to limit my options if I ever want to do something different in the future. I will find a new home for my Comfrey.
I live in New York City and it’s so hard to find this plant 😢 I have a fractured tibia and want to apply this as a poultice. I see you’re sold out on your website as well
We are, but you can check out www.edibleacres.org/permaculture-nurseries for a list of other nice nurseries that may have some plant material for you.
will goats eat comfrey? I have a fence that needs a border like this to keep the Bermuda out but I have goats that roam around.
I don't know as we don't have goats, but I'd assume so.
@@edibleacres Yes , a friend of mine who has raised goats for over 40 years says they love her comfrey patch . But don.t let them have at it or they will bloat. Regulate their feeding.
So how does this section of fence line look now in 2020?
Should make an update.... It's crazy how much growth there is right now!
What type of comfrey did you plant??
Bocking 14
I'd see if neighbor's cool with you planting comfrey down that side too. Would only make his mowing easier. Tell him it's usefulness and that it's ofcourse his to use. Keeps weeds away from your side so it's a win win deal.
I'm starting the same type deal on a long property line. Fencing is expensive but native american plum trees{bush} are cheap and sucker out. Someday we will have an edible hedgerow all down the line. Tree roots are on my side by 5ft but my neighbor is free to pick any fruit on his side. Win win deal.
Sounds like a nice setup!
Did they flower in October?
They normally won't but if they are cut/harvested at the right time mid-season they can sometimes.
Is it ok to plant under trees?
Yes, it is really ideal under trees
How does it not go in your garden?!
They will absolutely spread if you dig around them or break up the soil somehow.
@@edibleacres ohhh. So if you break into the roots at all it will stimulate it correct? And cause all of those broke roots to grows new plants? My buddy gave me a start I’ve had for a year now In an isolated bed. He warned me about it but I se the usefulness of it and am just being careful where I introduce it. I toyed with maybe even burying a ryzone barrier if I were to put it around my garden like you have
Do chickens eat comfrey?
They do. Not all the time but quite often
What do you mean you "stepped over the leaves."?
What I mean is that I step on the base of the leaves to bend them outward in a direction.
@@edibleacres Ah, OK, got it.
Be careful to make sure no seeds from Officinale are gathered for garden mulch. It's not easy to eliminate it when it spreads.
We grow Bocking 14 type which in 12 years of working with it has never made a viable seed that I could find or see elsewhere. Many other folks support that observation, so it feels safe here. Other types I can't say for sure...
IS THAT THE RUSSIAN COMFREY ?
Yes, Bocking 14 I believe
My comfrey has only spread in the vicinity of the parent plant and that is without any control for two years. We now use for forage for our own animals and also for planting up a large area in an animal sanctuary to provide a nitrogen rich feed for some of their poorly animals. How can anyone ever call this plant invasive???!!!
Plants that are hard to control, I think people dislike them. You can't just erase it if you don't like it any more so you have to be thoughtful about where you put it or open to it being there forever. I like the idea of it!