[3] It is native to the Caucasus region, and introduced to various locales in Europe as a garden escapee.

[1][4] A deer-tolerant perennial, it is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8, and is recommended for borders and shady situations.

Also, it has been crossed with Russian comfrey (Symphytum × uplandicum) to produce the multi-cross hybrid Hidcote comfrey (Symphytum × hidcotense, named after the Hidcote Manor Garden)[6]), of which a range of ornamental cultivars are available.

[7] The official first formal scientific species description was published in 1846 by the Swiss botanist Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle (1806–1893).

The specific epithet grandiflorum means "with large flowers".