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common comfrey | Plant Finder | Fill My Garden

Home/Plants/Perennials

Plants > Perennials

common comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Low Maintenance

Genus: Symphytum
Family: Boraginaceae
Common Names: alum, backwort, black root, blackwort, Bohemian comfrey, bone-set, comfrey consound, gum plant, knit-back, bruisewort [3], healing herb [2]

About this plant

S. officinale is a robust, rather invasive perennial forming a clump of erect stems bearing elliptic leaves to 25cm in length, and terminal clusters of nodding, tubular bell-shaped, purple, pink or cream flowers 2cm in length in late spring and summer

Growing Information

Height

1-1.5 Metres

Spread

1-1.5 Metres

Hardiness

Foliage

Deciduous

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full SunPartial Shade

Soil

ClayChalkLoamSandy

Acid

Not Currently Available

This plant is not currently stocked at any garden centres on our platform.

Alkaline

Neutral

Moisture

Poorly DrainedMoist But Well Drained

Aspect

West FacingNorth FacingEast FacingSouth Facing

Exposure

ShelteredExposed

Care Guide

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade. Makes good groundcover but can become invasive, so site with care

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to encourage neat, young foliage

Propagation

Propagate by division of fleshy roots in spring. Propagate by root cuttings in early winter. Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn or spring

Pests

Generally pest free

Diseases

Generally disease free

Garden Uses

Uses

Banks SlopesWildflower Meadow

Planting Places

Submerged Aquatic

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Size & Characteristics

Height

1-1.5 Metres

Spread

1-1.5 Metres

Time to Full Height

Five To Ten Years