Levisticum officinale

Description

Heirloom from Europe, the leaves being used as an herb, the roots as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice. It brings a fresh taste to soups, beans, fish, tomato sauces, pickles, etc. It has something of the same deep, savory character as celery, but is also spicy, peppery, and pungent. Lovage is one of the few herbs that don’t mind a little shade. It is a true perennial and hence is very easy to cultivate in the garden. Give it enough water and rich soil and it will live in your garden for many years. It is sometimes grown in gardens for its ornamental foliage; mature plants have beautiful architectural foliage that will tower over your herb garden. In Italy, it is rather charmingly known as ‘Mountain Celery’. During June and July, an ornamental umbel of yellow flowers appears, produced in umbels up to 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) in diameter which is a magnet for pollinators.

Sow seeds into the surface of the soil fall or spring and keep them moist until germination, which takes from 1 to 3 weeks.