Comfrey, part four. White Comfrey (Symphytum orientale) is perhaps the most elegant of the Comfreys. A very useful plant for the garden because it copes well with shade and dry soil. It hails from Turkey, the Caucasus and West Russia. It self-seeds freely. I see a lot of it growing wild in Hertfordshire and it seems to be becoming more frequent in London.

All the Comfreys are important bee plants and White Comfrey is no exception.

 I have deliberately planted White Comfrey among self-seeded Green Alkanet (Pentalgottis sempervirens), another great plant for bees. Both are of the Boraginaceae family. The leaves look rather similar and the mass of blue and white flowers is very attractive. I once saw a long border at Kew Gardens which consisted entirely of this combination and the effect was stunning.