Lovage

Description

Levisticum officinale – lovage

Botanical name: Levisticum officinale
Common names: Lovage
Family: Apiaceae (carrot family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial herb
Habit: Tall, upright, bold and architectural
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 1.8–2m tall × 0.9m spread
Foliage: Large, divided, glossy green aromatic leaves with a celery-like scent
Flowers: Large, flat umbels of tiny greenish-yellow flowers on tall, hollow stems in summer (June–July)
Scent: Aromatic foliage with a celery-like scent
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, fertile, humus-rich; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered or open
Native range: Native to the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic; as with others in the carrot family, the sap may occasionally cause skin sensitivity in bright sun

Levisticum officinale, lovage, is a magnificent, statuesque herb forming bold clumps of glossy, celery-scented foliage topped by large umbels of yellow-green flowers. Superb for architecture and pollinators.

GardenAdvice notes

A magnificent, long-lived perennial herb, lovage is grown for its bold architectural presence — big, glossy, divided leaves with a distinctive celery-like scent, and tall hollow stems carrying great umbels of greenish-yellow flowers in summer. It makes a dramatic statement at the back of a border or in a herb garden, and its flowers are excellent for beneficial insects.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun to partial shade, where the ground stays reliably moist. Give it plenty of room, as it becomes large. Space about 60–90cm apart. It is easy, long-lived and needs little attention once established.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Keep the soil moist for the lushest growth. Cut back the old growth in autumn or late winter. Remove the flower stems if you wish to keep the plant leafy and prevent self-seeding, or leave them for their architectural seedheads. Divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring.
• Seed: Sow fresh seed in autumn; it self-seeds gently.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Leaf miner can occasionally tunnel the foliage. Otherwise robust and easy in moist, fertile soil.

Uses in the garden

Superb as a bold architectural focal point at the back of borders, in herb gardens, wildlife gardens and naturalistic plantings, where its statuesque form and pollinator-friendly flowers make a real statement.

Wildlife value

The large flower umbels provide abundant, accessible nectar and pollen for bees, hoverflies and many beneficial insects, and the seeds are taken by birds.

Toxicity & safety

Lovage is generally regarded as non-toxic; as with other members of the carrot family, its sap may occasionally cause mild skin sensitivity in bright sunlight.

GardenAdvice tip

Lovage is a fabulous architectural herb — it rockets up to head height with big glossy leaves and umbels alive with hoverflies and bees — so give it room at the back of a border or in a bold herb garden. It’s easy and long-lived in moist, fertile soil; just keep it damp for the lushest leaves, and cut back the flower stems if you’d rather it didn’t self-seed.

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