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Herbaceous PerennialSynonym

Symphytum grandiflorum 'Hidcote Blue'

Hidcote comfrey

Upright, clump-forming, hairy perennial to 45cm tall, with oval, wrinkled and veined mid-green leaves. Clusters of red buds appear during spring, opening to tubular pale blue flowers

Synonyms

Symphytum grandiflorum 'Hidcote Blue'

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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

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing or North–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade. Be aware this plant has the potential to become a nuisance, so may require appropriate management

Propagation

Propagate by division of fleshy roots in spring or from root cuttings in early winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to encourage neat, young foliage

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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