A friend told us that if one managed to grow ‘true comfrey’ from seed, then one would know: “We have arrived.” Where we had arrived wasn’t specified…presumably some gardening nirvana of some sort.
It took us a season or two… and a comical mix-up in seed packets that saw us nurturing ‘comfrey’ starts from seedling to unnaturally tall, yellow flowering…canola. Once the canola’s true identity was undeniable and established, we came to terms with its presence. It did alright, until serving as a sacrifice to the flea beetle hordes that seem to invariably seek our ranch when neighboring farmers spray or harvest their canola.
These days, our ‘true comfrey’ is doing alright as well. Second time’s the charm!
We’re looking forward to much more comfrey. Since comfrey is a bioaccumulator, we hope it collects any goodness attempting to escape from our garden. Then, we hope it re-gifts said goodness to the garden when compost teas are brewed from its leaves. A striking structural plant, it provides habitat for generalist beneficials. Its pretty flowers gladden the heart and provide food for native pollinators.
In the midst of our comfrey drama, the Latin name for comfrey “symphytum officinale” struck a chord. We’d heard legendary British gardener Monty Don observe with amusement that the ‘officinalis’ in so many botanical designations essentially means “common”. A further cursory search revealed that the such designations date back to medieval Europe and its monastic heritage. To be “officinalis” was to be kept in an “officina”, the monastic trove of medicines and culinary supply. “Officinalis” is related to another Latin word: “Officium” i.e. service, official duty, function, work-doing.
Ironic. The Romans, masters of “imperium” and “res publica”( i.e. the public thing) saw the ‘official’ as the common, work-doing thing. The implication? Political office is a means to preserve the commons, build the common good, serve the community held in common. If only our politicians grew comfrey…they might learn a thing or two!
Castricum Ranch 