General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in moist, organically rich soils in part shade, but has respectable drought tolerance and can do reasonably well in dryish, shady locations. Tolerates close to full shade. Many of the comfeys spread by creeping rhizomes and can be quite aggressive in the garden, however ‘Goldsmith’ is generally rather restrained and can be easily controlled. Once planted, however, comfrey can be very difficult to dig out because any small section of root left behind can sprout a new plant. Easily propagated by root cuttings or division. Trim foliage as needed to shape plant. Cutting back stems promptly after flowering may encourage a rebloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Comfrey is generally a coarse hairy rhizomatous perennial that is typically grown in borders or shade gardens for its attractive foliage and Virginia bluebell-like spring flowers. ‘Goldsmith’ is a variegated hybrid comfrey cultivar (parentage unknown) that typically grows in a low-spreading clump to 12” tall. It features light green crinkled leaves (to 4” long) that are edged with golden yellow. Bell-shaped, bluebell-like, pink to blue to white flowers appear in drooping clusters (scorpiod cymes) in mid-spring to early summer. Some species of comfrey (e.g., S. officinale) have been grown in medicinal herb gardens for several centuries for the purported healing properties of the leaves and roots when applied as a poultice to inflamations and wounds. It should be noted, however, that the leaves are poisonous if ingested. ‘Goldsmith’ is not grown for herbal reasons. ‘Goldsmith’ is sometimes listed and sold as a cultivar of S. grandiflorum. ‘Goldsmith’ is also synonymous with S. ibericum ‘Jubilee’.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Slugs and snails may attack the foliage.

Uses:

Borders. Naturalize in woodland gardens, shade gardens, cottage gardens or wildflower meadows.

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