[Plumby]

Hi all,

This is my first post here, after a few months of loitering in the bushes. I was on a walk today and noticed an abundance of shoots coming up near a small brook.  I am hoping it is comfrey, the leaf looks similar I think but I don't know for sure.

I would like to grow my own but understand that they can be quite invasive. Can anyone tell me whether I have found wild comfrey before I plant some of my own and they take over my whole garden, strangle my flowers before running off with the wife.

Thanks!

[Blewit]

Looks like comfrey, especially with all the dead stuff round it from last years growth.

[Plumby]

Thanks Blewit. Appreciate your reply. I shall wait nervously for further developments!

[greenjay]

if the leaves are hairy then yes I would think so.
if smooth could be docks?

[snowdrops]

Yep looks like comfrey. To prevent it being invasive you need to get a strain called bocking 14, the seeds are sterile. Garden organic used to sell it & probably still do, worth spending on a reliable source

[yorky]

Plant the Bocking 14 variety in your garden, its sterile so doesn't spread all over the place.

Edited to add, must learn to type quicker.

[Plumby]

Thanks all. I'll keep checking it and see what transpires and most probably order some cuttings too.  Trouble is I only need 3 and everyone likes to sell a minimum of 10! 

[New shoot]

You can get a pack of 5 

http://www.organiccatalogue.com/p1492/COMFREY-PLANTS-Bocking-14-Pack-of-5/product_info.html

[snowdrops]

I had the bocking 14 in my old garden & it was just fine, I transplanted some to my old allotment & was going to do the same to the new one but when I looked around there was so much obviously not b14 that I didn't bother, I just dug up some roots from the wild areas & planted it at the very front edge of my plot in front of my manure bay. I try to cut it before it flowers although I do love to see the bees on it