The creeping comfrey is displaying elegant flowerheads on the Systematic Beds.
The borage family (Boraginaceae) contains approximately 90 genera of mainly herbaceous perennials, though also contains some annuals and a few shrubs. They are distinguished by their simple, alternate leaves; bristly stems and leaves; five-petalled flowers with a corolla tube; and fruit nutlets. The genus Symphytum (comfrey) occurs in Europe, Siberia and Iran, and comprises 28 species of bristly or hairy rhizomatous perennials. These have fleshy roots; wrinkled basal leaves, erect stems; and cymes of pendent tubular flowers. Many members of the genus have been used for medicinal purposes. S. grandiflorum is a native of the Caucasus, and bears cymes cream flowers, and reaches 40 cm in height, and is a valuable ground cover plant in shady places.