Lovage - Levisticum officinale
100 Seeds
Sow April - August
Hardy perennial.
Height 2m (6ft), spread 1m (3ft).
Prefers a moist, fertile, well-drained soil with full sun.
Scatter a few seeds in the growing site and rake in or cover with soil. Germination time is approximately two to three weeks. Lovage does best in a rich, fairly moist soil and can be propagated from seed planted in late summer. Water well and thin seedlings as required. In colder climates, it is best treated as an annual or kept overwinter as a pot plant.
Can be transplanted when six to eight weeks old, transplant a couple of weeks before final spring frost.
The short, thick rootstock produces a round, hollow, ribbed stem that is branched near the top. The glossy, dark green leaves are opposite, compound and decrease in size towards the top. The leaflets are ovate, toothed and have a celery like fragrance. The small, pale yellow flowers are arranged in compound umbles.
Lovage
Also known as Love Parsley, Sea Parsley, Lavose, Liveche, Smallage and European Lovage.
From the family Apiaceae.
Originally from the Mediterranean area, Lovage grew near the mountains of Greece and in the south of France. It was formerly used in medicine and cooking. Centuries ago Lovage became established in Britain and was among the most cultivated medicinal herbs. It was grown for its roots, stems, leaves and seeds. Today Lovage is on of the lesser known herbs. Its leaves were laid in traveller's shoes to revive weary feet and were once used as an aphrodisiac in the 16th century. It was often combined with Anise and Fennel and considered an important remedy for jaundice. In Austria Lovage is carried in processions on Corpus Christi to be blessed and then used as a prophylactic to ward off stormy weather and evel spirits. Serbian, Slovakian and Ruthenian maidens carried the consecrated root for succes in love and Slovenian brides used the herb to divine whether their marriage was to be peaceful. As a cure for unrequited love, the root was buried when the sun stood in the zodiacal sign of Aries and was then dug up and worn as an amulet.