comfrey

[samseed]

will my comfrey that i planted last year that was quite established come back to life in spring,it is planted outside.

[lottie dolly]

Yes Sam it will,it just goes dormant,or hibernates over winter,just keep an eye out for the new green shoots when spring cometh,

[Two_Sheds]

Yes it will, unless you've done something dire to it. It's herbaceous, ie it dies down over winter, comes back in the spring

[jdlondon]

It's herbaceous, ie it dies down over winter, comes back in the spring

Oh god, it's like they say - the more you know, the less you know. I had no idea that's what herb(aceous) meant! So I've been wasting some time searching for perennial herbs and whether those that don't say, can self-seed and come back if I don't disturb the soil and on and on and on.

So, basically, if I plant any herbs classed as herbs and leave them in their own patch, undisturbed, let them flower, they should come back year after year? Even if they are soft leaved things like basil?

ETA: soft-leaved meaning ones people class as pretty delicate and annual and best brought inside when cold.

[rustylady]

Definition of herb:
1. Any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume.
2. A part of such a plant as used in cooking.

Definition of herbaceous:
herbaceous plants (plants that live for more than two years and are soft-stemmed and non-woody)

So no, the two are not necessarily the same.

[veggiechicken]

Oh god, it's like they say - the more you know, the less you know. I had no idea that's what herb(aceous) meant! So I've been wasting some time searching for perennial herbs and whether those that don't say, can self-seed and come back if I don't disturb the soil and on and on and on.

So, basically, if I plant any herbs classed as herbs and leave them in their own patch, undisturbed, let them flower, they should come back year after year? Even if they are soft leaved things like basil?

ETA: soft-leaved meaning ones people class as pretty delicate and annual and best brought inside when cold.

Herbaceous means that the stems are soft and green (as opposed to woody like rosemary) and that it dies back to ground level in winter. In this context, herbaceous does not always mean that it is a "herb" as we understand the term.
You need to look for perennial herbs rather than annual herbs if you want them come back next year in the same spot. Some annual herbs will self seed and spring up nearby but tender plants like basil are unlikely to do this in our climate - even if you bring them indoors. I'm sure someone will be along soon to prove me wrong!!

[jdlondon]

Like I said, less I know!

...Some annual herbs will self seed and spring up nearby but tender plants like basil are unlikely to do this in our climate....

Alrighty. I'll still have a come-again patch that I'll leave undisturbed, note down what's in it and where, and see what does come back next year.

[veggiechicken]

Some of the perennial, herbaceous herbs that I grow are are fennel, chives, mint, parsley, lovage. marjoram. oregano
perennial (woody) herbs - rosemary, sage, lavender
Annual herbs - basil, rocket (there must be others but my mind has gone blank!)

[Florence Fennel]

If it's of any help, I sow coriander, basil and parsley every year. You'll be surprised at the rate your comfrey grows once Spring is here. It never ceases to amaze me how fast it grows even when I cut it back to make liquid feed 4 or 5 times a year.