- Botanical name: Symphytum x uplandicum
- Common name: Comfrey
- Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Purple
White
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum, is a low-maintenance, weed-smothering ground cover plant that is tolerant of poor soil and neglect, and is particularly useful for wild or woodland gardens or under trees and shrubs. However it can become rather invasive. It has plain green foliage and, in spring, short stems of red buds open to clusters of nodding purple flowers held just above the leaves. The slightly coarse bristly foliage is useful for putting onto the compost heap when cleared at the end of the season, and may also be made into comfrey liquid fertiliser.
Grow Symphytum x uplandicum in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. To propagate, divide plants in spring.
How to grow Symphytum uplandicum
-
Plant size
45cm height
45cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do Divide in October |
N
Do Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Symphytum uplandicum and wildlife
Symphytum uplandicum is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Symphytum uplandicum poisonous?
Symphytum uplandicum can be toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
