- Botanical name: Levisticum officinale
- Common name: Lovage
- Family: Apiaceae
- Plant Type: Herb
Yellow
Green
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Attractive to wildlife
Lovage, Levisticum officinale, has a distinct earthy flavour, similar to celery but with hints of spice. This perennial herb has many uses – its leaves roots and seeds are all edible – and it may be used as an ingredient in soups, sauces and stews, as an accompaniment to fish dishes, and to enhance the flavour of pickles.
Lovage is an ornamental herb that works well in garden borders as well as vegetable and herb gardens. In summer umbels of yellow flowers appear, which are extremely attractive to pollinating insects.
Lovage is one of the few herbs that may be grown in partial shade.
How to grow Levisticum officinale
-
Plant size
2m height
100cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, partial shade
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do Harvest in June |
J
Do Harvest in July |
A
Do Harvest in August |
S
Do Harvest in September |
O
Do Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Levisticum officinale and wildlife
Levisticum officinale is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Levisticum officinale poisonous?
Levisticum officinale has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Levisticum officinale
