Comfrey
Comfrey: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Common comfrey, Symphytum officinale, is an herbaceous perennial in the borage family, native to Europe and western Asia. It forms a vigorous clump of large leaves followed by upright, branching stems. The name comfrey also covers other species and garden hybrids whose size, fertility and behaviour may differ.The foliage gives the plant a bold texture. Basal leaves are large and elongated, while the stem leaves become smaller towards the top. Their bases extend down the stem to form noticeable wings. Rough hairs cover both leaves and stems, so the surface feels coarse rather than smooth or glossy. A well developed clump can approach a metre in height, depending on its growing conditions, and its leafy bulk needs space among neighbouring plants.In late spring and early summer, drooping groups of tubular flowers rise above the leaves. The corollas resemble little bells, usually purple, pink or whitish depending on the form. Bees…
