Okay, But Have You Heard of the OTHER Type of Comfrey?

Symphytum officinale is the common garden comfrey all permaculture folks are enamored with and has many uses in the permaculture or cottage garden. It prefers full sun, and grows quite tall.

But have you heard of Symphytum grandiflorum? This cousin of garden comfrey is a diminutive little plant that loves shade and has all the same medicinal properties (with less liver toxicity) as S. officinale, but fits in a different part of the landscape. Good for a woodland or shady permaculture garden zones 3-9.

Use good judgment and planning when you plant it, it will be there forever, and it does spread slowly to fill in an area.

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[MorePranaGardens]

This is my THIRD viewing of this video and it's happening right now because my dwarf comfrey just arrived in the mail! Thanks for sharing this, it's inspired me.

[TheTinkerersWife]

It's so true about us plant nerds forming our community. Love that you found another nerd in the neighborhood. I'm a little envious of your find there. That little comfrey was one I saw back in the early to mid 90s here, either at an herb nursery or garden center somewhere. It as so pretty, I'm so bummed I didn't get any back then. I bought my Bocking 14 about that time too. I'm not sure why it isn't in the trade, being a valuable permaculture and pollinator plant. S ibericum, the gold leafed comfrey isn't seen much anymore either. Always appreciate your videos Angela. Great info. ~Patty~

[melissamybubbles]

Wow. It's so cute! I'm glad your neighbor is so generous and you took the chance to talk to them. I'd like to have that on the north side of my house.

[maryhoffman]

I've had the seeds for symphytum grandiflorum in various online carts so many times. But I am worried about keeping it under control. Please do an update video at some point! I'm looking forward to seeing how you use this plant in your garden and how it behaves. I love the plant-sharing kindness in this video!

[abzafox]

I finally found this plant last year. I put a tiny root into the ground and it’s going full bore this spring. Awesome plant.

[lildebb]

lol makes good compost tea too! (lol) we have lots of wild anchusa (Bugloss) and I enjoy but also used for tea as it is super good (another large tab rooted plant :)

[CmoreAnts]

I love this. Any other ideas for shady woodland permaculture?

[miabagley]

I just acquired a Hidcote running comfrey. I believe it looks a bit different to this one.

[morjulies]

I just gleaned some also! Thanks for sharing about it. I was wondering if it was also medicinal nutrient rich. Why does the embarrass our kids? It's community building share plants with one another! 🤣 I'm well known for doing the same thing and likewise love sharing plants. That's what plants are made to do, be shared!;

[leskemp]

This is fantastic! I have an almost complete shade/ wooded area of my yard that needs ground cover. I will be on the lookout for seeds.

[aurorawhite]

I would love to hear your input on how native plants fit into permaculture design. I personally would prefer my plants to be native but usually the trade off is that it isnt productive

[thanielxj]

I would love to know more about the uses for comfrey.

[tressastanton]

Would you be willing to sell me some of your root cutting? I have searched and searched to find some
Online but the descriptions don’t really let me know if I’m getting the right one.

[PurePondering]

How much water does it need? Slowly adding to my desert garden.

[mekaremaurin]

Thank you for the info. Will it grow into sunny areas or will the brightness stop it?