Herb Comfrey Symphytum Officinale

Description

Herb Comfrey Symphytum Officinale

Herb Comfrey Symphytum Officinale. One of the most useful plants on the allotment with the widest range of uses in a permaculture system of any plant. Comfrey is a herbaceous perennial herb with large, hairy leaves and grows in a rosette to 1 m (3’4”) in height. The mauve flowers are bell-like and borne in clusters which are extremely attractive to insects. The leaves are a useful addition to compost or used as mulch, as they contain silica, nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Comfrey leaves are about 17% nitrogen (horse manure is about 14%) and the leaves readily decompose when soaked in water to make an organic liquid manure. Comfrey grows in any soil, preferably moist, in sun or part shade.

Cultivation Advice 

• Sow from March to June in a seed-bed or in pots indoors.
• The seed should be placed in a chilled environment (fridge) for 14-28 days to activate the seed prior to sowing, hence greatly improving germination rates.
• Sow seeds thinly, 12mm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart.
• Can also be sown in pots or trays under glass and transplanted.
• Transplant when large enough to handle to 60cm (2ft) apart between plants.
• Keep well-watered until established. Leaves can be cut regularly throughout the summer and autumn.