Comfrey, Bocking 4

Comfrey 'Bocking 4' (Symphytum x uplandicum)

Comfrey ‘Bocking 14’ is a powerhouse perennial known for its vigorous growth, medicinal properties, and exceptional usefulness in permaculture and regenerative agriculture systems. This sterile cultivar does not produce seeds, making it less invasive while still providing abundant foliage for chop-and-drop mulching, compost boosting, and as a dynamic accumulator of nutrients. Its deep roots mine the subsoil for minerals like potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, which it returns to the surface through its large leaves. The roots and leaves of comfrey are also widely used in traditional herbal medicine for wound healing and inflammation. The plant is so powerful at healing broken bones, another name for it is "knitbone"!

The 'Bocking 4' cultivar is particularly known for being more palatable to livestock, making it a preferred choice for farmers using silvopasture systems or for homesteaders with animals. 

Key Characteristics:

• Superior Livestock Fodder: Bocking 4 is favored in silvopasture systems for its higher palatability compared to other comfrey cultivars, such as Bocking 14. It is an excellent source of protein for animals, especially chickens, pigs, and cattle, and provides a continual supply of nutrient-dense foliage throughout the growing season.

• Dynamic Accumulator for Soil Health: With its deep taproots, Bocking 4 draws essential minerals like potassium, calcium, and phosphorus from deep in the soil, enriching the surface soil with every cut. It is an ideal plant for chop-and-drop mulching, significantly enhancing soil fertility and structure.

• Medicinal Properties: Traditionally, comfrey is prized for its external healing properties. The leaves and roots are rich in allantoin, a compound that supports tissue regeneration and reduces inflammation. Bocking 4 can be used in salves, poultices, or compresses to aid in healing wounds, bruises, and joint pain.

• Permaculture & Agroforestry Use: Comfrey Bocking 4 is an invaluable addition to permaculture designs and fruit tree guilds, where it can be used as a companion plant. Its dense growth suppresses weeds, improves soil health, and attracts pollinators, making it ideal for permaculture food forests and agroforestry systems.

• Erosion Control & Streambank Stabilization: With its vigorous root system, Bocking 4 is excellent for stabilizing streambanks, preventing erosion, and improving soil retention in challenging areas. This makes it an ideal plant for regenerating landscapes and protecting water systems.

Product Details:

• Native range: Hybrid cultivar (non-native)
• Plant life cycle: Perennial
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil requirements: Medium to moist, well-drained soil
• Mature height: 2-3 feet
• Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
• Bloom color: Blue, purple, or pink
• USDA Hardiness zones: 4-9

Comfrey ‘Bocking 4’ is an outstanding plant for regenerative farming, offering numerous ecological benefits while also providing traditional medicinal uses. Whether you’re growing it for livestock, soil improvement, or herbal remedies, this comfrey is a versatile addition to any garden or homestead.