Symphytum

( SIM - fit - um )

At-A-Glance Information

Also called Comfrey, this perennial needs partial shade in the warmest climates and regular water. It is native to Eurasia and forms a clump of foliage 3-4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Flowers are not showy, and are rose in color, though sometimes they come in cream, white or purple. Plants will stay leafed out in frost free areas, but will die to the ground otherwise. These plants are considered invasive, and are difficult to eradicate. Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as plant parts contain toxins that can cause liver and lung damage and cancer in humans.

The genus Symphytum is a member of the plant family Boraginaceae and includes 27 distinct species. Comfrey grows best in zones 1-24 (To find your zone, click here: Zone Map).

Symphytum asperum (Prickly Comfrey, Rough Comfrey)
These plants are native to Asia, and has naturalized in Europe and North America. It is sometimes considered a weed. Foliage is green, and flowers are blue, opening from pink buds. Individual plants reach between 3 and 4 feet tall. Stems and leaves are covered in prickly hairs.

Symphytum bulbosum (Bulbous Comfrey)
These flowering plants reach between 6 and 20 inches tall when in bloom. Flowers are pale yellow to cream-colored and bloom between the months of March and April in the plant's native range (the Mediterranean).

Symphytum grandiflorum (Creeping Comfrey, Running Comfrey)
This species is native to the Caucasus, and has been introduced as a garden escapee to many other areas of the world. Flowers are typically light yellow, but varieties have flowers in pink and blue. Plants have a creeping habit, and reach between 1 and 1.5 feet tall.

Symphytum officinale (Common Comfrey, True Comfrey, Boneset, Knitbone, Consound, Slippery-Root)
These plants are native to Europe, where they prefer to grow in damp, grassy places. It is considered a weed in some parts of Asia and North America. Flowers bloom between the months of May and June and are pink. Leaves are green.

Symphytum tuberosum (Tuberous Comfrey, Knitbone)
This species flowers from April through June, and spread via underground rhizomes to form colonies. This hardy species produces foliage and stems that are softly hairy, and leaves have deep veining that is visible from a distance. Flowers are white to light yellow.

Symphytum x uplandicum (Quaker Comfrey, Russian Comfrey)
These plants represent the most economically important species in the genus, and are a cross between Symphytum officinale and Symphytum asperum. Flowers appear between the months of May and August. There are several ornamental varieties of this species with differently-colored blooms. Plants reach up to six feet tall when mature and in bloom.

Caring for symphytum

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Symphytum
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 620, Symphytum officinale
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
​