Symphytum, Russian Comfrey 'Axminster Gold'

The Variegated Nursery website says that this plant is quite possibly the most beautiful variegate in existence, and I agree. If I had to...Read More keep only one variegated plant this would be it. I have not seen it widely commercialized in my area, and question how this could be so, since the foliage does not stand up well to handling. Once it is bent, the stems will break. They are not very resilient in that respect, but once planted in place they are perfectly fine and hold up to most garden conditions. I have a hard time seeing how that trait can lend itself to mass distribution and handling that plants receive in big box stores, etc. They probably don't ship well for that reason too, as far as getting a fully formed, garden ready plant right out of the box, but don't let that stop you. If you can find it, it will grow into a stunning plant. For those reasons this is probably not the plant for impatient, impetuous or flighty wanna be gardeners who don't understand the big picture and just want instant gratification.


It does require some maintenance to get the best effect. The tall flower stalks are not bad, but if you cut them the plant will respond by sending up giant 24" long or more variegated leaves that are the real show, somewhat on the idea of a large hosta. I cut most of mine for this effect, but allow one to grow out the flower stalks, getting the best of both worlds.


I have had it revert once, and although it may be a coincidence I believe that it might have been associated with root trauma when dividing it. They have massive taproots, and it took several seasons to dig down and get all of the reverted portion, since even a small section left in the soil tends to live, but it was worth it. I have also divided it many times since with no reversion.

I have even planted one in full baking sun, and although it does burn a little it is still not too bad for a variegate. Try this, you will not be sorry.

A vigorous plant grown for its bold gold-variegated basal foliage. This makes a great focal point in shade. It was a rare (but widely cov...Read Moreeted) plant in the US before its mass distribution this season.

Very shade tolerant, it goes well with hostas, and grows well where hostas grow. It needs some protection from hot afternoon sun even here in Boston Z6a. The leaves are hairy, which makes it deer-resistant.

The flowers are a washy lavender-pink and not very showy. The foliage tends to deteriorate after flowering, so I cut out the flowering stems before they bloom for the sake of the basal foliage. Flowering stems can reach 5', but the basal foliage reaches about 18".

Like many plants with hairy foliage, this performs better in the north than in the hot humid US southeast, where its southern limit is about Z7.

It took regular watering to keep this looking good its first season, but it develops deep roots and I suspect that next year it may do fine without irrigation. In the wild, this is usually found in ditches and on moist stream banks, so it should tolerate poor drainage.

It spreads by rhizomes, sometimes aggressively, though shade slows it down. It can be hard to dig out completely, as it can regenerate from small pieces of root.

Some people develop a skin irritation from contact with the hairy leaves.

Propagate by division or root cuttings. If you're impatient, you can cut many roots by inserting a spade next to the clump, and in less than a season you will have many new growing points.

This plant is definitely not weak, as some variegateds are! It's been in the ground 3 months and is flourishing in a mostly sunny spot. ...Read More It grew from a quart-sized plant to something that would need a 2-gallon pot in that time. My soil is very sandy and it's been irrigated often to help it settle in.

I have had this plant, but now having trouble finding it!

I LOVED it--only negative is that it sometimes reverts to plain ...Read Moregreen. The yellow variegation is so spectacular--the last thing I wanted was plain green comfrey!!