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Symphytum officinale (Common comfrey)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Symphytum officinale
Other names
Common comfrey, Healing herb, Knit-back, Bruisewort, Comfrey consound, Gum plant, Blackwort, Bohemian comfrey, Bone-set, Alum, Backwort, Black root
Genus
Symphytum Symphytum
Species
S. officinale - S. officinale is an invasive herbaceous perennial with large leaves and clusters of nodding, tubular, bell-shaped flowers from late spring to summer. Flowers may be purple, pink or cream.
Symphytum officinale is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
If ingested, severe discomfort may result.
Flower
Cream, Purple, Pink in Spring; Purple, Pink, Cream in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Root cuttings
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Where to grow
Symphytum officinale (Common comfrey) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Woodland, Ground Cover
Cultivation
Grow in sun or partial shade in moist, moderately fertile soil. This plant can be invasive.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Symphytum officinale
Other names
Common comfrey, Healing herb, Knit-back, Bruisewort, Comfrey consound, Gum plant, Blackwort, Bohemian comfrey, Bone-set, Alum, Backwort, Black root
Genus
Symphytum Symphytum
Species
S. officinale - S. officinale is an invasive herbaceous perennial with large leaves and clusters of nodding, tubular, bell-shaped flowers from late spring to summer. Flowers may be purple, pink or cream.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
If ingested, severe discomfort may result.
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Colour
Flower
Cream, Purple, Pink in Spring; Purple, Pink, Cream in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Symphytum officinale (Common comfrey) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Woodland, Ground Cover
Cultivation
Grow in sun or partial shade in moist, moderately fertile soil. This plant can be invasive.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Comfrey as fertiliser
common comfrey as fertiliser
There are 3 active discussions about Symphytum officinale (Common comfrey)
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