Symphytum orientale

RHS Plant Profile
white comfrey

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Symphytum orientale?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
5 Suppliers

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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