Symphytum officinale

17th July 2020

Symphytum officinale

Common comfrey grows rapidly and can be invasive - it has nodding, tubular bell-shaped flowers in purple, pink or cream, but all types have coarse hairy leaves which can irritate the skin. Comfrey is often grown to make a organic liquid feed ( it contains potassium as well as nitrogen) or as a compost accelerator; the selection 'Bocking 14' is sterile, so this may be the safest form if you don't want to be overrun with seedlings.