Levisticum officinale

Lovage Apiaceae

Lovage is the big, bold, slightly bossy herb of the Apiaceae—a statuesque perennial that brings the flavour of celery to the border, but with considerably more ambition. Native to southern Iran and Afghanistan, it has been cultivated and naturalised widely in Europe, including Britain. 

Forming a substantial clump of strongly aromatic, glossy green, finely divided foliage, it sends up tall, hollow stems in summer, topped with broad umbels of small yellow-green flowers. These are particularly useful to pollinating insects, while the aromatic seeds that follow have their own culinary uses. 

And this really is an edible plant from top to bottom. The young leaves and stems have a strong, sweet celery flavour and are excellent in soups, stews, stocks, sauces and salads; the seeds can be used as a spice, while the roots are also edible. The flavour is considerably more powerful than celery, so a little goes a surprisingly long way. 

Give it plenty of room in deep, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, preferably in full sun or light shade. Regular harvesting or cutting back encourages fresh foliage.

Height: 150–250cm
Spread: 50–100cm
Flowering: June–August
Hardiness: H6, approximately -20 to -15°C
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil