Gardening 101: Comfrey – Gardenista

Comfrey, Symphtum

My first introduction to comfrey was when my husband sprained his ankle and my mom inspired me to strive a poultice that she produced from mashed comfrey leaves harvested from my sister’s backyard. My husband wasn’t thrilled concerning the concept, however my enthusiasm gained him over (or reasonably, wore him performed.) I utilized the comfrey compress and, lo and behold, the swelling subtly subsided. May this be a miracle plant? I’m certain there are believers.

On the flip aspect, there are lots of individuals who’ve determined to cease rising comfrey however the persistent perennial has different concepts, persevering with to return uninvited 12 months after 12 months. So for me, although I respect its probably therapeutic skills, I’d reasonably not develop it in my very own backyard; for now, I’ll simply persist with harvesting some leaves after I want them from my sister’s backyard.

Please maintain studying to study extra about this herbaceous healer.

One issue I at all times contemplate earlier than including a plant into my backyard is whether or not the plant can carry out many duties. Seems, comfrey checks the bins. Not solely does it appeal to pollinators and help in soil well being by offering vitamins and micronutrients, but it surely has lengthy been used as an natural treatment for treating wounds, bruises, and sprains on account of the truth that it comprises a chemical referred to as allantoin that helps cells rapidly develop and restore themselves. Comfrey’s different attribute is that it’s simple to develop and requires little care.

After which there’s the draw back of comfrey: If not watched rigorously, this plant can turn into rambunctious (it’s within the borage household, in spite of everything.) And, as soon as established, comfrey will maintain getting back from missed bits of roots, so you must be very thorough and meticulous if you wish to completely take away it out of your backyard.

Hardy to USDA Zones 4-9 and native to Europe and Asia, comfrey has a protracted historical past. Utilized by the Greeks and Romans to heal wounds and damaged bones, then launched to North America within the 1600s for medicinal properties, it’s nonetheless common right now amongst herbalists. This therapeutic plant was additionally as soon as thought-about to be edible, however latest analysis suggests it is extremely unsafe for consumption.

Comfrey is simple to identify in a backyard as a result of it grows in clumps and sports activities massive furry ovate inexperienced leaves with nodding bell-shaped purple, white, or pink flowers. When you select to reap the leaves, you will notice a repeat of blooms. Professional tip: Harvest the leaves and make a comfrey fertilizer tea which you’ll be able to then use so as to add vitamins (resembling nitrogen and potassium) to the soil and enhance development in different crops. And since the leaves are so massive and ample, you’ll be able to even chop them up and use the mass as a nutrient-dense mulch on backyard beds. One other backyard trick is to chop just a few leaves and place them on the backside of your out of doors containers earlier than planting. The leaves will slowly decompose and add vitamins.

S. x uplandicum, also referred to as Russian comfrey, is vigorous, extra bristly, and essentially the most generally grown one because it doesn’t self-seed.

Cheat Sheet

• The bell-shaped blossoms appeal to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and useful parasitic wasps.
• Add this hard-working perennial to a medicinal, pollinator, or cottage backyard.
• Typically disease- and pest-free, apart from the occasional snail or slug which may nibble just a few holes.
• Chop the leaves and switch them right into a powerhouse fertilizer tea or use them as a mulch.
• At all times put on gloves when pruning or harvesting because the fuzzy hairs will be irritating.
• Deer depart this prickly plant alone.