Comfrey - Symphytum officinale
40 Seeds
Sow March - June
Hardy perennial.
Height 1m (3ft), spread indefinte, can be invasive.
Prefers a rich, well-drained soil in full sun or semi-shade.
Sow seeds directly outdoors into moist, fertile, well drained soil in a sunny position. Sow seed thinly at a depth of 1cm (1/2") in rows 30cm (12") apart. Alternatively sow in pots or trays under glass and transplant them outdoors when plants are well grown.
When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 60cm (48") apart.
The flowers are blue-mauve, pink or yellow bells in drooping clusters opening along the spiral flower stem from late spring. The leaves are rough, thick-ribbed, dark green with an oval base tapering to a point. It has a square, rough hairy stem branching near the top.
Caution: Comfrey is harmful if eaten. Contact with the foliage may irritate the skin and eyes. Use gloves when harvesting.
Comfrey
Also known as Knitbone, Boneset, Bruisewort, Church Bells, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Saracen's Root.
Comfrey is native to Europe and Asia. Used medicinally since 400 bc. In Greece it was used as a healing herb to stop heavy bleeding and to treat bronchial problems. Crusaders discovered its value as a healing agent with mucilaginous secretions strong enough to act as a bone-setting plaster, hence the nickname Knitbone.