Symphytum officinale
Boneset, Bruisewort, Common comfrey, Knitbone
- Height × spread
- 1m × 0.46m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This sturdy, lush foliaged plant has hairy leaves. It produces small, pendulous, bell-shaped, pink or white flowers in early summer. These are held on flowering spikes, theoretically above the plant, but they might sag a bit. It is a rather coarse plant in its basic form and wouldn't normally be grown as a decorative plant in the garden. It was considered a therapeutic herb for a long time, hence its common name of knitbone. Lately, however, there has been concern that it is potentially carcinogenic.
- Flower colour
- Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction
- Deer
- May be nibbled by deer
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
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Symphytum 'Hidcote Pink'
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Symphytum 'Lambrooke Sunrise'
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Symphytum caucasicum
Blue comfrey
Symphytum grandiflorum
Large flowered comfrey, Knitbone, Boneset, Dwarf comfrey, Ground cover comfrey