Where to Buy Comfrey in Illinois
Looking for Bocking 14 comfrey plants in Illinois? This guide helps you find quality comfrey plants that are well-suited to Illinois's climate. Whether you're in the Chicago area, central Illinois, or the southern regions near the Shawnee Hills, we've got information on where to buy comfrey plants that ship to Illinois.
Illinois's varied climate (USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-7a) provides good growing conditions for comfrey, which thrives in the state's generally moist conditions and can handle both the cold winters and hot, humid summers. Comfrey can help improve soil and serve as a valuable addition to your permaculture or organic gardening system throughout the Prairie State.
Illinois Comfrey Suppliers Map
Interactive map coming soon! For now, browse our curated list of suppliers below.
Local Comfrey Suppliers in Illinois
We're currently building our directory of local Illinois nurseries, garden centers, and farms that sell comfrey plants. If you're an Illinois business that offers Bocking 14 comfrey or would like to start carrying it, please contact us to be listed here.
Online Retailers That Ship to Illinois
These trusted online retailers ship quality Bocking 14 comfrey plants to Illinois:
First Fruit Farm
Our own farm specializes in high-quality Bocking 14 comfrey crowns, roots, plugs, and starter plants.
Products:
- Comfrey Crowns
- Comfrey Roots
- Starter Plants
- Comfrey Plugs
Growing Comfrey in Illinois
Illinois offers excellent growing conditions for comfrey, with its moderate climate and generally reliable rainfall. The state's geography creates several distinct growing environments:
Illinois Growing Regions
- Northern Illinois
- Central Illinois
- Southern Illinois/Shawnee Hills
Illinois Comfrey Growing Tips
- Planting Time: In Illinois, plant comfrey in early spring (April-May) after the danger of hard frost has passed, or in early fall (September) to allow establishment before winter. In southern Illinois, you can often plant earlier in spring and later in fall due to the milder climate.
- Soil Preparation: Illinois is known for its rich prairie soils, particularly in central Illinois, which are ideal for comfrey. In northern Illinois, soils may be heavier with more clay, while southern Illinois has more varied soil types. Amend heavy clay with organic matter to improve drainage. In all areas, comfrey appreciates a soil pH of 6.0-7.0.
- Winter Care: Comfrey is cold-hardy throughout Illinois (zones 5a-7a), but first-year plants in northern Illinois may benefit from a layer of mulch for their first winter.
- Watering: While established comfrey is drought-tolerant, Illinois's occasional summer dry spells and heat waves may require supplemental watering, especially for young plants.
- Regional Adaptations: In northern Illinois, comfrey may emerge later in spring than in the southern regions. In southern Illinois, comfrey can often produce more harvests per season due to the longer growing season.
Seasonal Considerations
In Illinois's climate, comfrey typically:
- Spring: Emerges in early to mid-April in southern regions, and mid to late April in northern regions
- Summer: Produces abundant growth, with potential for 2-3 harvests in northern Illinois and 3-4 harvests in southern Illinois
- Fall: Growth slows by October, with leaves dying back after first hard frost
- Winter: Goes dormant, with crown and roots surviving underground
Add Your Illinois Comfrey Business
Are you an Illinois nursery, garden center, or farm that sells Bocking 14 comfrey plants? We'd love to feature your business in our Illinois supplier directory. Contact us with your business details to be listed on this page.
Start Your Own Illinois Comfrey Business
With growing interest in sustainable gardening, homesteading, and permaculture across Illinois, there's an opportunity to start a comfrey business in the state. Illinois's climate is well-suited for comfrey cultivation, and the plant's multiple uses make it attractive to gardeners, herbalists, and small-scale farmers throughout the state.
Want to grow and sell comfrey in Illinois? We'd love to help you get started and add you to our directory. Contact us for more information on starting your Illinois comfrey business.