comfrey - a bee favourite
Russian comfrey (var. Bocking 14) is the plant most commonly associated with British organic gardening.
It is a deep-rooted sterile perennial whose leaves and stems are cut to enrich compost, mulch or used to create the most potent high potash liquid feed.
It is also adored by bees.
So, instead of cutting all the plants down every month, leave a few behind to provide a nectar rich food supply to busy bees.
4 comments:
Comfrey is a common "weed" along roads here in Sweden. I love it, grows fasts and flowers for a long time. Leaving some in the garden for the bees is a great idea!
I have a 'common comfrey' plant in my vegetable garden (bought at a farmer's market in the mountains) inspired by your posts. It's quite robust. Any thoughts about its identity? I should have looked for Russian comfrey seed perhaps.
The bees are visiting it, though!
Lisa
There are several varieties of comfrey. I like the small one that seems less dominant than Russian Comfrey. Its advantage is that it is a sterile hybrid and so shouldn't become a pest. Hope I haven't inadvertently introduced a rampant weed to your garden Lisa!
I'm worried now.
Rob
Rob,
It's still in flower (and actually not happy with the heat, it looks like) so I shall make sure that it doesn't spread seeds around the garden!
Cheers,
Lisa
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