Species comfrey
white-lavender flowers with yellow-lime leaves, pink-white buds and brown branches

comfrey

Symphytum 'Goldsmith'

Comfrey (Symphytum 'Goldsmith') is an easy-to-grow perennial with deep green-and-gold foliage and bright yellow bell-shaped flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. The plant has a long history of use in herbal and folk medicine, and its leaves are a rich source of Vitamin A and C as well as calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Comfrey’s taproot can reach up to 6 feet deep, making it an excellent choice for erosion control. Its tolerable of drought conditions and will provide season-long interest with its bright blooms and vibrant foliage, although it may need dividing after a few years of growth.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Pink to blue to white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

gold,green,yellow

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

When it comes to watering comfrey (Symphytum 'Goldsmith'), it is best to keep the soil moist but not saturated. Water comfrey deeply but infrequently (about once a week) unless it is very hot and dry. Aim to provide 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of water each time you water. During the summer, if your comfrey is planted in a container, you may need to water it more often. Keep an eye on the soil and water your comfrey as soon as it starts to dry out. In drier climates, you may need to water comfrey more frequently.

sunlight

Comfrey (Symphytum 'Goldsmith') prefers full sun to part sun and warm temperatures. It does best when it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, although it can adapt to slightly less sunlight. Plants grown in full sun will be denser and flower better than those grown in partial shade. Growing in part shade also allows the plant extra time to establish strong root systems, making them better suited for drought conditions. Comfrey does not tolerate direct afternoon sun, so a morning or a heavily shaded area is best for this particular species.

pruning

Comfrey (Symphytum 'Goldsmith') should be pruned in late summer or fall, when flowering has finished. Pruning can be done to both control size and encourage additional blooms the following season. Generally, it is recommended to prune about a third to 1 half of the plant's height after flowering or early in the season before buds form. This will promote more growth and a fuller, bushier plant. Pruning in the late summer or fall is important, as it allows new growth time to develop before the cold winter months. It is important to note that over-pruning Comfrey (Symphytum 'Goldsmith') can lead to damage or death.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Comfrey typically starts flowering in May.

Hardiness Map