3 ft., around early to mid-October. It is
dense and full and has lavender
flowers, flowering at a time when most
of the rest of the garden is finished. It
has excellent disease resistance.
Divide aromatic aster every couple of
years to maintain vigor.
Eurybia divaricate ‘Eastern Star’ is
one of the few asters that grows well in
shade but benefits from some morning
sun. It has white flowers that are borne
heavily on lax plants. This cultivar has
received a 5-star rating and benefits
from preemptive pruning.Symphytum
×uplandicum
‘Axminster Gold’
‘Axminster Gold’ comfrey
boraginaceaeSmall, nodding, pale lavender-pink flowers;
bold scratchy leaves with wide yellow
margins
Blooms late May–June
30–36 in. (18 in.) high; 24–30 in. wide
Full sun–part shade
Zones 5–7
pruning The mauve flowers are
nothing special, but the foliage is
fantastic. Some gardeners like to
prune out the flowering stems when
they appear, holding the plant to about
18 in. tall. Alternatively, you can let it
bloom, cutting it back as soon as it’sdone flowering. Trimmed plants may
rebloom later in the season. Remove
any all-green leaves should they
appear, as well as any leaves that
become scorched from drought stress.
Cut ‘Axminster Gold’ back hard at any
time if more than a few leaves become
unsightly, and new foliage will quickly
follow; provide plenty of water when
rejuvenating plants this way. The
frost-resistant foliage often remains in
good shape until late in the year,
especially if plants were cut back
earlier and are on their second flush of
foliage. Prune symphytum any time
before growth resumes in spring. Wear
gloves when working with scratchy
comfrey plants if you have sensitive
skin.
other maintenance Grow
‘Axminster Gold’ in full sun or bright
shade in any soil. It appreciates a
yearly topdressing of compost and
regular irrigation. This fleshy rooted
perennial rarely needs division, but
clumps may be split in early spring if
more plants are desired.
related plantS ‘Axminster Gold’
is hands down the most garden-worthy
symphytum available. Other comfreys
are valued more for their durability
than for their good looks.
Symphytum ibericum, large-flowered
comfrey, reaches 18 in. tall and is a
trouper in dry shade where little else
will grow. It has red flower buds but
the blossoms are creamy white.
‘Hidcote Blue’, a hybrid, is a vigorous
groundcover that also works well in
difficult dry, shady spaces. It reaches
18 in. as well.
Symphytum officinale has pink to
violet-blue flowers and tops out at 4–5
ft. It may need some support when it
blooms. Established comfreys do
become deeply entrenched, so think
twice about including them in places
where you might not want them
forever. However, in challenging spots
they can be a godsend. If plants look
stressed, most will rebound with fresh
foliage and flowers after being cut
back.Symphytum ×uplandicum
‘Axminster Gold’