Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Tough vigorous perennial plant grows 2-3 feet tall, has attractive purple flowers and large long hairy leaves. Luxuriant foliage is great for building organic matter in deficient soils and for smothering noxious weeds. Also known as Knitbone, comfrey is a great healing herb to use as a poultice or in salves for wounds and cuts. We plant it extensively in our orchards for soil building and forage for our poultry, who eagerly graze it. Great compost material for the home gardener. Best planted where it won"t be disturbed as any broken roots will sprout to make more plants. Zones 3-9.