Comfrey (Symphytum × uplandicum 'Variegatum')
Striking variegated Comfrey, Symphytum × uplandicum 'Variegatum', is a rugged perennial for shade/sun borders, admired for its foliage and spring blooms.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’, commonly recognized as variegated Comfrey, is highly valued in the garden primarily for its robust and attractive foliage. This herbaceous perennial features striking grayish-green leaves sharply outlined with broad white margins, offering essential contrast in shaded or woodland settings throughout the growing season. While it produces appealing bluebell-like flowers in late spring, its main ornamental draw remains its rugged, patterned leaves.
This hybrid Comfrey is a vigorous grower, typically reaching heights between 3 and 4 feet. It thrives in average to rich, moist soils but requires careful placement due to its spreading nature. Gardeners must manage the aggressive creeping rhizomes of this Comfrey, as established plants can be challenging to eradicate if moved improperly.
Due to its handsome foliage and ease of care, this cultivar is perfect for filling space in cottage gardens or naturalized areas where its texture can be fully appreciated. Providing consistent moisture will ensure the healthiest foliage display for your Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Rose aging to purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Comfrey is best achieved in spring or early fall, ensuring it receives average, well-drained soil. While it tolerates a range of conditions, this favorite, Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’, prefers organically rich, moist soils for optimal texture. For the best leaf variegation, providing some protection from the hottest afternoon sun, particularly in warmer climates, is highly recommended.
Water needs are medium; maintain consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Fertilization is generally unnecessary given its vigorous nature, but rich compost amended soil will support robust growth. Be aware that Comfrey spreads aggressively via creeping rhizomes; any small root fragment left behind can regenerate a new plant, making initial placement crucial.
Maintenance involves managing its spread. Trim the foliage as needed to maintain shape. If you are growing this primarily as a foliage interest, consider promptly cutting back the flowering stems after they appear to prevent seed set and encourage better leaf presentation. Divisions or root cuttings are the easiest methods for propagation if you wish to expand your collection of this particular Comfrey.
Landscape Uses
The assertive habit and striking coloration of Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’ make it an excellent choice for borders where its size and texture can anchor a planting scheme. It excels when naturalized in woodland gardens, offering reliable structure where lawn maintenance is impractical. It is equally suited for casual cottage gardens or wildflower meadows, blending well with later-blooming perennials that appreciate similar moisture levels.
Use this variegated Comfrey to provide mid-to-back-of-border height, contrasting its bold, irregular leaf pattern against fine-textured plants. Because it offers such reliable foliage interest, consider planting it alongside spring ephemerals that will fade as the Comfrey reaches its full stature. It integrates effectively into herb or vegetable gardens, provided its spreading tendencies are respected or contained.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Symphytum × uplandicum is generally a coarse, hairy, rhizomatous perennial that is typically grown in borders and shade gardens for its attractive foliage and Virginia bluebell-like spring flowers. Symphytum × uplandicum, commonly known as Russian comfrey, is a naturally occurring hybrid (S. Officinale × S. Asperum) that grows in waste areas and disturbed soils in the Caucasus Mountains. ‘Variegatum’ is a variegated-leaf cultivar that grows slightly smaller that S. Uplandicum and features striking grayish green leaves with broad white leaf margins.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
This variety of Comfrey generally faces few serious insect or disease challenges, making it a relatively low-hassle perennial. However, slugs and snails are known to attack the foliage, especially when new growth first emerges in spring. To manage these pests, use baits or barriers early in the season. Additionally, powdery mildew may appear, particularly in humid conditions or if air circulation is poor, which can be mitigated by ensuring proper spacing during planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Comfrey suitable for?
This particular variety, Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’, is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Comfrey grow?
When fully mature, this herbaceous perennial typically achieves a height between 3 and 4 feet, with a spread ranging from 2 to 3 feet wide.
When does Comfrey bloom?
Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’ usually displays its bloom period from May through June, featuring flowers described as rose aging to purple.
What sun exposure does Comfrey need?
This plant is adaptable, thriving in locations ranging from full sun through to partial shade conditions.
Conclusion
The variegated foliage of Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’ offers essential texture and contrast, cementing its role as a valuable, low-maintenance perennial for structural interest. Ensure you select a location where its desired height (3-4 ft) and aggressive spread can be accommodated or managed well. Before planting your Comfrey, confirm that your garden location falls within USDA Zones 4-8.
Propagation Tips
Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’ is remarkably easy to propagate, making it simple to increase your stock or share this attractive Comfrey with others. The primary methods of asexual reproduction are division and root cuttings. Division is best performed in early spring or fall when the plant is either dormant or just beginning to emerge.
For root cuttings, carefully dig up portions of the established rhizomes, ensuring you have at least a few inches of viable root section. These sections can then be planted directly into pots or prepared garden beds to sprout new plants. Due to its rhizomatous nature, always dispose of root fragments responsibly if you choose to remove older, established clumps.
Companion Planting
When planning beds around this handsome Comfrey, focus on plants that appreciate similar moisture levels and can tolerate or complement its robust, coarse texture. Good companions include Hostas, which share a preference for moist, rich soil and part shade, though the Hosta foliage tends to be finer. In sunnier spots, pair the variegated Comfrey with structure-providing plants like ornamental grasses or deep-rooted perennials.
Consider foreground plants that offer bright, ephemeral color in spring, as these will bloom before the Comfrey fully leafs out or shades the ground beneath it. Because the leaves of Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Variegatum’ are large and slow to decompose, placing smaller, less vigorous groundcovers near the edge of the clump can help suppress weed growth immediately surrounding it.
