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Common comfrey - just how invasive is invasive?

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  • #1

    Common comfrey - just how invasive is invasive?

    I bought some comfrey seeds from T&M, just bog standard common comfrey. I'm now aware there is a non-seeding one but that wasn't available where I was. I'd like to grow it to supplement the daleks and mulch the potatoes, but I'm a little concerned after hearing about it's invasiveness - both roots and seeds. I don't get much time on the plot so weeds are always an issue - voluntarily introducing one seems reckless!

    I don't have any boards to pen it in with but could sink bottomless pots around each plant as I have a few largish ones available (old raspberry pots etc.). The back side of it's 'bed' will be against the daleks, two sides will be earth access paths, and the last will be a courgette bed. As shown here (top left corner) - http://plans.garden-planner.net/uplo...ans/189338.jpg

    Does anyone have any experience/advice for trying to keep common comfrey in one place?
    Proud member of the Nutters Club.
    Life goal: become Barbara Good.
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  • #2
    Main thing is to make sure it doesn't set seed. This shouldn't be an issue if you cut it regularly. The bees do love the flowers though. Love your planner BTW.

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    • #3
      Hmmmm...wellllll- I'm going to stick my neck out here a bit and say that I've never found it to be particularly invasive.!

      It's possibly because the places I grew it weren't ideal locations. It likes moist/rich/high nitrogen soil ideally in a sunny position.
      So...if you plant it in poor soil which gets little water and cut it back regularly then you'll keep it in check.
      There are lots of wild plants dotted around most of the grass verges here...and that's just it- dotted about...not banks of 5ft high lush comfrey -which is my definition of 'invasive'
      However- fully restricting the roots would certainly help control it.
      I see this year you are growing courgettes nearby. They need lots of feed - so I imagine some of the nutrients will leach sideways to the comfrey.

      Would I grow it there in the soil if I were you?
      Nope.( how about in a big tub instead?)
      Or- Why not think about wild sowing in quiet place- so you have a secret stash you can keep returning to?
      That way nature and you will benefit!
      ( Just noticed your location isn't on your profile....any chance of adding it???? )
      Last edited by Nicos; 11-01-2012, 01:52 PM.
      "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

      Location....Normandy France

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      • #4
        A couple of the gardens I work in have Comfrey growing 'wild' in. One has sandy soil, and I find it isn't really invasive at all, we just dig it up if it gets too much in one place. The other garden is on clay, and in the 3 years I've been going there, I haven't had to dig any out.

        Personally, I have had no luck with transplanting the stuff, and I would like to grow it here, as we have plenty of space.

        I would say give it a go. As RL says, Bees love the flowers.
        All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
        Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Kaiya View Post
          I'm now aware there is a non-seeding one but that wasn't available where I was.
          It's on eBay (that's where I got my first root).

          As for your seedy one, don't let it go to seed: keep cutting it back (although do let some flower for the bees)
          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Glutton4... View Post
            Personally, I have had no luck with transplanting the stuff, and I would like to grow it here, as we have plenty of space.

            G4,PM me postal details & will send you some seeds (got a T&M pack in seed sale),they may be more successful than transplants
            He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

            Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

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            • #7
              Thank you, that's very kind. We are planning to move this year, so I think I'll wait until we are settled and I know where I'll be growing, and how much space I have. It's a shame, but it will only get neglected here, as my folks have completely lost interest in their garden.
              All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
              Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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              • #8
                Cool,shout when you are settled in the new place
                He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

                Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

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                • #9
                  Oooh, BB, I would love a few seeds if you wouldn't mind. There is none on my new plot.
                  Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are probably right.
                  Edited: for typo, thakns VC

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                  • #10
                    SS,there are 30 in a pack so I will keep 10 for G4,10 for me & send 10 to you,no worries (PM me details please)
                    He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

                    Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by bearded bloke View Post
                      SS,there are 30 in a pack so I will keep 10 for G4,10 for me & send 10 to you,no worries (PM me details please)
                      PM on it's way BB. Cheers.
                      Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are probably right.
                      Edited: for typo, thakns VC

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                      • #12
                        if you are having problems getting bocking 14 (the sterile one)try organic gardening or pm me and I can send you root cuttings in a month or so
                        don't be afraid to innovate and try new things
                        remember.........only the dead fish go with the flow

                        Another certified member of the Nutters club

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Glutton4... View Post
                          A couple of the gardens I work in have Comfrey growing 'wild' in.
                          Personally, I have had no luck with transplanting the stuff, and I would like to grow it here, as we have plenty of space.
                          I found some comfrey growing free at the other end of our village, and thought it would be nice to have some closer to where I live so I can cut it. I took a leaf off the main stem, stripped most of the leaf off so it was mostly bare stalk, and shoved it in a pot of seed compost.

                          Within 3 weeks it had two sturdy little shoots at soil level, and soon filled the pot with roots. I have "released" it back into the wild (on the rough edges of the playing fields that back onto a spinney), where it has settled happily and I shall be out to pick it before the mower makes its first spring rounds.
                          Location - Leicestershire - Chisit-land
                          Endless wonder.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by rustylady View Post
                            Love your planner BTW.
                            Thank you! It's the growveg.com - I've found it very useful.

                            Originally posted by Nicos View Post
                            ( Just noticed your location isn't on your profile....any chance of adding it???? )
                            Whoops! Totally thought I'd already done that... Added now!

                            Oo this all sounds much more positive than I thought! They'll be on clay soil, broadly west facing, so it sounds like they'll probably be quite happy. The soil there hasn't been improved and has been abused recently (I've used it as my wandering about area while redesigning/faffing), but the plot was well loved by it's previous owner so underneath it's good stuff, as long as I get there before summer bakes it. I'm keeping an eye out for large tubs I could sink but I'm trying to reduce costs this year as we went a bit bonkers last year.

                            I bet we do have some wild as I'm in ruralish Essex and I successfully forage for berries already anyway, but I'm not sure what it looks like! I shall have to learn.

                            I'll give it a go, and if it sets seed faster than we can monitor it I'll compost the lot and go for the seedless version. Thank you very much for the offers I'm probably not qualified yet to be in the seed swap (and people may not want seedy comfrey) but I think my seed packet also has more seeds in it than I can use. I'll see if there's a way for me to pass extras on to anyone who wants them too.

                            Once it's an established plant, can you cut it back quite hard? I've been assuming that since it's a wild plant it's generally quite tough once it's got it's roots settled.
                            Last edited by Kaiya; 13-01-2012, 12:30 PM.
                            Proud member of the Nutters Club.
                            Life goal: become Barbara Good.

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