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Herbaceous Perennial

Symphytum orientale

white comfrey

Clump-forming, softly-hairy perennial about 40-60cm tall, with oblong, wrinkled, dark green leaves, and bearing pendent clusters of tubular, funnel-shaped pure white flowers in late spring and early summer

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Clay

Chalk

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Boraginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten repeatedly. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten repeatedly - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Symphytum are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials, sometimes invasive, with large leaves and nodding clusters of tubular flowers
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in sun or partial shade in moist, moderately fertile soil. Whilst it may have the potential to become a nuisance, the risk is less compared to some other Symphytum species, but it self-seeds readily

Propagation

Propagate by division, seed or root cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Generally not required but old or fading foliage can be trimmed

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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