Symphytum rubrum - Red Comfrey

The Red Comfrey is a beautiful variety with deep pink flowers appreciated in organic gardens for its melliferous quality and vigour.

Native to Europe and Asia, this perennial with suckering roots is an excellent and very hardy ground cover, reaching 60 cm (24in) in width. It develops alternate, entire, oblong, lanceolate, medium-green leaves. In April, upright, then trailing stems bear clusters of flowers with tubular, deep pink corollas and thread-like cilia.

Symphitum rubrum thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil in a sunny or partly shaded position. It is a low-maintenance and easy-to-grow plant as long as it has enough space to grow.

Red Comfrey can bloom in woodland areas, spaces between bushes, and slopes alongside Bleeding Hearts.

In organic gardening: good fertilizer, rich in potassium, trace elements and vitamins. Use it as a liquid fertiliser or in compost.