Symphytum
Comfrey
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 1m × 0.4m – 1.2m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Comfrey are generally rumbustious species, though some forms have very beautiful flowers and are, in fact, quite domesticated. Avoid Symphytum caucasicum unless you can give it lots of space. Look at Symphytum 'Goldsmith' for a gold foliaged plant, or Symphytum ibericum and its forms. If you have space and want some drama, excellent value is provided by plants such as variegated Symphytum x uplandicum 'Axminster Gold' which provides months of interest, but needs watching (dig out those parts that have exceed their allotted space in spring).
- Flower colour
- Blue, Lilac, Pink, Purple, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, White, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Dome
- Height
- 0.3m – 1m
- Spread
- 0.4m – 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Shady court, 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, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
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.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Found in
More Symphytum
Symphytum 'Goldsmith'
Comfrey
Symphytum 'Blaueglocken'
Comfrey
Symphytum 'Hidcote Blue'
Comfrey
Symphytum 'Hidcote Pink'
Comfrey
Symphytum 'Lambrooke Sunrise'
Comfrey
Symphytum caucasicum
Blue comfrey
Symphytum grandiflorum
Large flowered comfrey, Knitbone, Boneset, Dwarf comfrey, Ground cover comfrey
Symphytum ibericum
Iberian comfrey