Origin: Native of Europe and Western Asia
Family: Boraginaceae
Light: Full sun
Height: 2-3'
Spacing: 15"
Blooms: Purple, pink, cream, hanging clusters, late Srping
Foliage: Deciduous, green, coarse, large, hairy, lower leaves larger
Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich, nitrogen-rich, moist, mildly acidic, neutral, mildly alkaline, tolerates drought
Water: Moderate
Uses: Herb, fertilizer, animal fodder, back of border, edge of vegetable bed, focal point, foundation planting, back of border
Propagation: Seeds, rootball divisions
Caution: Plant can cause skin allergy - use gloves. Plant can be invasive
Comments: Symphytum officinale or Comfrey is a hardy herbal perennial with a large, deep tap root system. It is a native of Western Asia and Europe. In mid-Spring, it produces hanging clusters of purple, pink or cream blossoms at branch tips. It has larger lower deciduous deep green foliage. Symphytum officinale is easily propagated from seeds or rootball divisions. It performs best in well-drained, moist, humus-rich and nitrogen-rich, mildly acidic, neutral or mildly alkaline soil in a sunny area of the landscape. Use Symphytum officinale as a focal point, foundation plant or back of the border. Plant some at edge of vegetable plot. Trim plant if too leggy and use potash-rich cuttings around tomatoes and potatoes. Plant Comfrey in its own permanent location and allow it to spread free and wild for a showy display. Its 10 foot deep tap root is fleshy and breaks easily when moved leaving behind root fragments for another plant to sprout. In Winter, Symphytum officinale will be killed to the ground but will reemerge next season with a much stronger growth. It tolerates drought when established. Comfrey leaves and roots has been in use for many years. The leaves can be harvested when plant is in its second year of growth. Salve or poultice can made to treat burns, bruises, cuts, wounds, rheumatism, dry cracked skin and it protects muscle, tissue and tendons from further damage. Throw a few Symphytum officinale leaves into your bath water for a softer and more youthful skin. Homemade fertilizer can be made by soaking the Comfrey leaves in a container for one month. Symphytum offiicinale is helpful in breaking down compost heaps or clay soil. Mix the leaves into the soil to fertilize it. Rabbits and cattle enjoy feasting on Comfrey leaves. According to research Symphytum officinale is carcinogenic if consumed long term. In its native habitat, Comfrey can be found growing along stream banks and moist meadows. Symphytum officinale is a wonderful plant to have in the garden.
USDA Zones: 4-9
JennysGarden.com...Plant images and gardening desscriptions of herbal plant Symphytum officinale (Comfrey) growing in Jenny's Garden
