Ligusticum lucidum

Southern Lovage Apiaceae

A magnificent southern lovage for the back of the border, Ligusticum lucidum is a robust European member of the Apiaceae, forming a substantial clump of glossy, finely divided foliage before sending up tall, branching stems crowned with broad umbels of tiny white flowers. Native to the mountains of southern and central Europe, its range extends from Spain and the Pyrenees through France, Italy and the Balkans to Greece and Switzerland.

The foliage has the aromatic character one expects from a lovage relative, but this is primarily a botanical and ornamental plant rather than a recognised culinary herb. I can find no strong evidence for its use as a conventional edible vegetable. There is, however, some ethnobotanical evidence from Asturias, Spain, where L. lucidum was traditionally recorded as a “depurative” for livestock, and in remedies associated with cattle ailments and respiratory complaints. 

Give it full sun or light shade, fertile soil and reasonable summer moisture. A splendid architectural umbellifer, reaching impressive proportions without becoming coarse.

This plant is incredibly drought tolerant and flowers well even in hot dry positions. It only reaches about 80 cm in hot dry conditions but still performs remarkably well.

Height: 100–150cm
Spread: 50–80cm
Flowering: June–August
Hardiness: H5, approximately -15 to -10°C
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Most soils. Drought tolerant