Genus Symphytum (Comfrey)

Symphytum × uplandicum 'Axminster Gold' Photo/Illustration: Virginia Small

sim-FY-tum Common Name: Comfrey

This genus is made up of 25 to 35 species of coarse, bristly or hairy, rhizomatous perennials. Some are very invasive. Comfrey is native to damp, often shady, habitats in Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. From fleshy roots come long-stalked, wrinkled, prominently veined leaves. Blue, purple, pink, yellow, or white flowers are pendent and tubular. These plants are useful as a ground cover in a shady garden, but they can spread rampantly.
Noteworthy characteristics: Sometimes invasive. Contact with foliage may cause skin irritation, and ingestion of roots and leaves may cause severe discomfort. Some species are used medicinally or for fertilizer. S. officinale and S. × uplandicum can be grown for plant food.  
Care: Needs moist, moderately fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. All except the variegated cultviars can be very invasive, growing from even small pieces of root.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in spring or fall; divide in spring; take root cuttings in early winter.
Problems: Infrequent.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Symphytum

Symphytum 'Hidcote Blue'
(Hidcote comfrey) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

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11

This prolific cultivar has dark green foliage and bears nodding blue flowers from mauve buds. It grows to a compact height of 18 inches tall. It may become invasive and difficult to eradicate once established.

Symphytum × uplandicum 'Axminster Gold'
(Russian comfrey) (1 user review)

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

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9

10

11

This notably beautiful plant produces huge, elongated banana-shaped leaves, which are arfully edged in luminescent yellow. The rosette sits at 18 inches tall, and in early summer the plant bears clusters of mauve-pink bells atop stems that are 4 to 5 feet tall.

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