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Common Comfrey

Symphytum Officinale

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Overview

Symphytum officinale, known as Common Comfrey, is a hardy perennial boasting clusters of bell-shaped, purple to cream flowers. It grows to 2-5 feet tall and spreads up to 2.5 feet wide. Favored for its medicinal uses and ability to improve soil fertility, Comfrey thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Handle with care due to its rough, hairy leaves and potential skin irritants.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 4–8Type Perennial
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — blue flowers in the garden

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
4–8

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Perennial
Family
Boraginaceae

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Photos (135)

Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — contributing vital nutrients to surrounding plants; favored for its medicinal uses and ability to improve, image 90
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — perennial for full or half
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Favored for its medicinal uses and ability to improve soil fertility; contributing vital nutrients to, image 51
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — with hairy leaves that can grow up to 8 to 12 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide; it grows to 2-5 feet tall, image 59
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — tapering to a point.<br><br>From late spring to early summer; making it fairly drought-resistant upon, image 108
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — It grows to 2-5 feet tall and spreads up to 2.5 feet wide; with hairy leaves that can grow up to 8 to 12, image 50
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — emphasize its dual role as both a soil enhancer and a provider of visual and ecological diversity, image 69
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — while beneficial to the garden; its leaves are rich in nitrogen and make excellent compost or mulch, image 68
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Comfrey thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist; is a hardy perennial boasting clusters of, image 76
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — providing a delicate contrast to the lush greenery
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — This robust plant stands at around 2 to 5 feet tall with a similar spread and features a deep taproot system
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — emphasize its dual role as both a soil enhancer and a provider of visual and ecological diversity; perennial for full
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Comfrey's foliage is characteristically coarse; it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9, preferring full sun to
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Comfrey's foliage is characteristically coarse; it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9, preferring, image 58
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — commonly known as Common Comfrey; providing a delicate contrast to the lush greenery, image 102
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — showcasing colors that range from creamy white to pink and purple; perennial with blue blooms, image 62
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — contributing vital nutrients to surrounding plants
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — perennial with blue blooms
Symphytum Officinale
Symphytum Officinale
Symphytum Officinale
Symphytum Officinale
Symphytum Officinale
Photographs by 11 contributors

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