Lovage - Levisticum officinale - €5 per plant 

Lovage makes a great companion plant and noted for attracting wildlife specifically Ichneumon wasps, which parasitize the larvae of herbivorous insects.   It likes it fairly moist, so we have it planted along irrigation channels among fruit trees and bushes. Herb Guru,  Jekka Mcvicar opines that "Lovage is a forgotten culinary delight" making great soups and adding fantastic flavour to dishes. We often add the herb to salads and herbal teas.  We are offering divisions, from plants well established here, that can be planted out this autumn. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: europe
  • native habitat: Arable land and waste places in damp soils. Mountain pastures and hedgerows near streams
  • family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

Predators

  • None  known or experienced 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or no shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a - 7b
  • Prefers well drained soil 
  • If the plant is cut back to the ground during the growing season it will produce a new flush of young leaves.
  • If the weather is dry at this time, it will be necessary to water the plants in order to encourage fresh growth




Known hazards 

  • Lovage is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine. The volatile oil is an irritant. Contraindicated with kidney or urinary passage inflammation. Avoid during pregnancy

Overview


  • Herbaceous perennial growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). ​
  • It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is self-fertile. 
  • It is noted for attracting wildlife. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 
  • It prefers moist soil.

Characteristics

  • form: herbaceous perennial 
  • layer : Herb Layer
  • habit: multi-stemmed large leaved, deep tap root system. 
  • height x width (m): 1.8 x 1
  • years to bearing yield: 0-2 years  
  • productive life span: indefinite 

Products 

  • Leaf: mixed with other salads, cooked with fish dishes, stems can eaten like Celery  
  • Roots:  A tea can be made from the grated roots. An essential oil from the root is used commercially as a food flavouring
  • Seeds: Seed - raw or cooked. A strong yeasty flavour, it is used as a flavouring in cakes, soups, salads.
  • Under-story ground cover in dappled shade 
  • Medicinal: Lovage is a warming and tonic herb for the digestive and respiratory systems. It is used primarily in the treatment of indigestion, poor appetite, wind, colic and bronchitis

Functions, behaviours

  • animal dispersed seeds
  • Lovage is a good companion plant, improving the health and flavour of other plants growing nearby.
  • Attracts ichneumon wasps, which parasitize the larvae of herbivorous insects
  • The flowers are very attractive to bees and also draw insect predators such as hoverflies into the garden.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project