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S. officinale, common comfrey, can be grown from seed. It is best to direct sow outdoors about three weeks before the average last frost date, planting about half an inch deep in soil. Water well and keep the soil moist until seeds germinate in about two to three weeks.
When should I plant comfrey?
When to Plant Comfrey Ideally plant out offsets in March, April and May or in September. September plantings may not show until the following spring. Late planted offsets in pots can be moved into the greenhouse or a cold frame in late January, early.
Does comfrey grow well from seed?
Comfrey can be grown from seed, but it requires a winter chilling period to germinate. It’s also not unusual to sow the seeds and not see any germination for two years.
Does comfrey come back every year?
Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.
When should I start my comfrey seeds indoors?
When and Where You Should Grow Comfrey Comfrey can be planted any time when the soil is not frozen, and seedlings are not facing immediate danger of frost. Planting is preferable in the Spring or Fall seasons.
Can you grow comfrey in a container?
Choose your site carefully – comfrey can live for 20 or more years. It is too vigorous to grow in a pot, but it will grow on most soil types (except the very shallow and chalky), thriving in good soil in the full sun.
Is comfrey toxic to dogs?
But be warned, dogs should not eat or lick it, as it can be toxic to them and will cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested in large amounts. Although comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, primarily on the root, which cause liver problems when ingested in large quantities.
What is the difference between borage and comfrey?
Borage flowers are always blue while comfrey flowers bloom in white, pink and purple. The flowers have different shapes, as well, with comfrey flowers shaped like bells and borage flowers like stars. Borage also tends to be a bit more gangly than comfrey, which grows in tighter clumps.
Should I plant comfrey?
Planting Comfrey In fact, I recommend this for all of your perennials because it helps them transition to their new home more easily. Whether planting root cuttings, mature plants, or seeds, plant them about three feet apart.
How does comfrey spread?
Does Comfrey Spread? Our comfrey does not produce viable seed and stays in place. It will only spread if disturbed because any piece of comfrey root will make a new plant. So any digging or rototilling near comfrey will result in new plants.
How is comfrey invasive?
Between the self-seeding and root regrowth, comfrey can become invasive. There is a sterile species of comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Bocking 14’, which eliminates the self-seeding problem in the garden. Comfrey is a very fast growing plant. During the growing season it produces huge amounts of leaves.
Can comfrey survive winter?
As for the original posters question, comfrey dies back in winter and leaves bare earth. That is its nature, but also it’s strength. The leaves fall to the ground and as they break down they enrich the soil, feeding the microbial life and adding nutrients.
How cold can comfrey tolerate?
Originating in the Caucasus mountains of Russia, Comfrey can withstand temperatures of -40° F below zero without winter kill. It thrives in Africa in 120° F heat and with 12 cuttings per year there, they hold the world record yield of over 140 tons per acre.
What is the difference between common comfrey and Russian comfrey?
Common comfrey (S. officinale) has long been cultivated primarily as a medicinal herb, while prickly comfrey from the Caucuses (S. asperum) is grown mainly as an ornamental. Russian comfrey, which is a hybrid between common and prickly comfrey, comes in many variations and grows mainly independently.
How do you plant comfrey?
Sow seed thinly at a depth of 1cm (1/2″) in rows 30cm (12″) apart. When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 60cm (48″) apart. Alternatively sow Comfrey seeds in pots or trays under glass and transplant them outdoors when plants are well grown.
How long do comfrey seeds take to germinate?
Indoors fill 10cm pots with moist well-drained seed compost, sow seeds 6mm deep, allow 2 per pot. Ideal temp. 20C. If germination has not occurred in 3-4 weeks cold stratify.
Can comfrey grow in Arizona?
Comfrey prefers well watered, rich soil so it is rarely found in the SW outside of well tended gardens. It is fairly easily cultivated in the right conditions. I have only seen it growing wild once in the Southwest, in a damp area near a stream.
How do you stop comfrey from spreading?
Cut sheets large enough to cover the comfrey patch from a roll of 1-millimeter black plastic mulch, using scissors. If you have a large comfrey patch, cut an extra sheet or two so you can overlap them and prevent the comfrey from growing through. Plastic mulch usually comes in 3-, 4- and 5-foot wide rolls.
Is comfrey poisonous to chickens?
Comfrey has been deemed safe to handle and to use externally. Any comfrey that my hens have eaten they’ve shared with the whole flock—and they are eating commercial laying feed, too.
Is comfrey toxic to cattle?
Poisoned cattle may have a bloated appearance.” “Comfrey does contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids which have the potential for liver damage. There have been warnings put out against the use of the herb, but evidence of incontrovertible documented toxicity is lacking.”.
Is comfrey easy to grow?
Symphytum spp. For this reason, one of my all time favorite herbs to keep in my garden is comfrey! It is also a long utilized herbal support for wound healing and treating other ailments. And it is extremely easy to grow – perhaps too easy, as it tends to spread if it’s not well managed.
