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Herbaceous Perennial

Symphytum × uplandicum 'Bocking 14'

Russian comfrey 'Bocking 14'

Vigorous, clump-forming, upright perennial to 2m tall, with oblong mid-green leaves. Flowers are purple-blue, appearing from late spring through to summer. This plant is a sterile hybrid, it won't self seed and is non-invasive

Synonyms

Symphytum 'Bocking'
Symphytum ibericum 'Bocking 14'

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Boraginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten repeatedly. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten repeatedly - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Symphytum are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials, sometimes invasive, with large leaves and nodding clusters of tubular flowers
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but free draining soil in sun or partial shade. Plants are sterile and non-invasive

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring. Take root cuttings in early winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back to the ground in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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