Japanese name: プリックリーコンフリー Scientific name:Symphytum asperum
[Overview]
A perennial about 1 m tall.
It has thick roots.
The whole plant is densely covered with prickly hairs.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves, and the basal leaves have long petioles.
The stem leaves are simple and alternate, oblong, 10–20 cm long, with entire margins.
The leaf base has no wings.
Cymes at the top of the stem bear flowers that hang downward.
The corolla is bell-shaped with 5 shallow lobes at the tip, reddish purple at first and later turning blue.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or root cuttings.
It prefers sun to partial shade and slightly moist, water-retentive soil.
If the conditions suit it, it grows well even when left alone.
Even for plants in the ground, water in midsummer when the soil surface dries so that it does not become too dry, and do so in the morning or evening when temperatures are low.
Fertilize sparingly; if base fertilizer is applied, none is particularly needed.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
