THE FUTURE of a versatile herb described as a ‘gardener’s ally’ is being preserved by a Warwickshire sustainable gardening charity, with help from a new partnership with a vitamin company.
Viridian Nutrition is working with the sustainable gardening charity Garden Organic to safeguard the future of the herb comfrey.
Garden Organic is home to the National Collection of comfrey, also known as symphytum. This Plant Heritage status gives recognition to the charity’s work in developing and preserving 30 varieties of the herb over several decades.
Viridian is sponsoring the continued growth of the collection at the charity’s home at Ryton Gardens.
Viridian managing director Holly Thallon Steenson said: “Viridian and Garden Organic share the same core principles of embracing organic growing by focusing on practices that enhance soil health and plant nutrition by avoiding, pesticides and synthetic chemicals.
“For Viridian, it’s important to help preserve this comfrey collection which has rightly so been placed in the charity’s care for many future generations to enjoy.”
Comfrey is at the heart of Garden Organic, which has been growing the herb throughout its 65-year history – long before it was awarded National Collection status.
Comfrey has long been prized by gardeners for its valuable nutrients, which include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, creating a natural organic fertiliser for many flowering and fruiting plants.
Emma O’Neill, head gardener at Garden Organic, said: “Comfrey is a gardener’s ally, not only providing a useful feed but also acting as a compost activator, mulch and pollinator attractant. Every garden should have one.”
A traditionally used herb, comfrey has been found in multiple scientific studies to benefit human health and is one of the core ingredients in Viridian’s organic range of nutritional supplements, balms and serums.
Corin Sadler, nutritional therapist at Viridian, said: “Comfrey is a herb with a long history of use, topically for the skin.
“The herb is rich in allantoin which promotes wound healing by encouraging new cell growth.
“The botanical also contains rosmarinic acid which acts to reduce inflammation and has historically been used as a balm for damaged and sore muscles, sprains, ligaments and bones.”
Visit www.gardenorganic.org.uk/comfrey for instructions on how to grow and harvest comfrey and make liquid fertiliser.
