Symphytum officinale var. patens (True Comfrey) Unity Grown

Symphytum officinale var. patens, commonly called true comfrey, is an upright, clumping perennial wildflower, originally native to western Europe and some parts of Asia. True comfrey grows from one to five feet tall with branching stems, long, lance-shaped leaves, and pinkish purple flowers that bloom through the late spring and early summer; occasionally, flowers range from cream white to light pink to darker purple all on one plant.

Originally introduced to North America by European immigrants, comfrey has a long history of medical use, though modern long-term use has been associated with liver damage. Beyond its questionable uses for topical pain relief, comfrey is an important species for pollinators, and its blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other insects. Comfrey is considered resistant to deer browsing and tolerant of drought and heavy clay soils, and its beautiful blooms make it a great addition to woodland and pollinator gardens as well as large containers.

Note: Care should be taken when choosing a planting location for Symphytum officinale due to its toxicity to livestock, pets, and people, as well as the difficulty posed by removing the plants once established.