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[[File:Gardenlovage.png|center|500px]] | [[File:Gardenlovage.png|center|500px]] | ||
'''Lovage''' (''Levisticum officinale'') is a vigorous, hardy perennial herb. Lovage is cold hardy. | '''Lovage''' (''Levisticum officinale'') is a vigorous, hardy perennial herb. Lovage is cold hardy. Lovage grows to a height of around 1.5 metres at its maturity after four years. | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
Lovage has hollow stems. | Lovage has hollow stems. | ||
The leaves appear like those of celery or French parsley. They smell strongly of celery. | The shiny leaves appear like those of celery or French parsley. They smell strongly of celery. | ||
Lovage will grow to a height of about 2 metres (7 feet). It's a big plant and one alone is sufficient for a family. | Lovage will grow to a height of about 2 metres (7 feet). It's a big plant and one alone is sufficient for a family. | ||
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It is easy to grow lovage from seed or from root pieces. Plant in the spring or autumn.<ref name="illinois">http://extension.illinois.edu/herbs/lovage.cfm</ref> Established plants can be lifted and divided in the spring; replant the side shoots. If transplanting lovage, this must be done very early in its growth as it develops a very long tap root. | It is easy to grow lovage from seed or from root pieces. Plant in the spring or autumn.<ref name="illinois">http://extension.illinois.edu/herbs/lovage.cfm</ref> Established plants can be lifted and divided in the spring; replant the side shoots. If transplanting lovage, this must be done very early in its growth as it develops a very long tap root. | ||
Select an area with rich and moist soil, in a sunny and open position. Light shade will improve its flavour.<ref name="illinois" /> | Select an area with rich and moist soil, deeply dug, in a sunny and open position. Light shade will improve its flavour.<ref name="illinois" /> | ||
To sow the seeds, sow 12mm/ 1/2 inch deep in drills. | If sowing seeds, use ones that have freshly ripened and plant in midsummer. To sow the seeds, sow 12mm/ 1/2 inch deep in drills. | ||
== Caring for lovage == | == Caring for lovage == | ||
Expect lovage to die back completely during the winter. Mark the area to avoid planting something else there. | Expect lovage to die back completely during the winter. Mark the area to avoid planting something else there. Take the leaves and dry them for winter use, before it dies back. | ||
To capture seeds, remove the seed heads when turning brown. Place upside down in a paper bag to catch the seeds as they drop, or roll the seed heads and help the seeds to fall into the bag. Store in resealable bags or sealed containers. | To capture seeds, remove the seed heads when turning brown. Place upside down in a paper bag to catch the seeds as they drop, or roll the seed heads and help the seeds to fall into the bag. Store in resealable bags or sealed containers. | ||
== Uses for lovage == | == Uses for lovage == | ||
The leaves, stems, roots and seeds of lovage are all edible.<ref name="illinois" /> The younger leaves are the best for culinary use, as they are the most tender.<ref name="illinois" /> | The leaves, stems, roots and seeds of lovage are all edible.<ref name="illinois" /> The younger leaves are the best for culinary use, as they are the most tender.<ref name="illinois" /> A little goes a long way. | ||
The hollow stems of lovage can be used in the same way as celery. They have a spicy and peppery flavour, useful for stews, soups, salads and casseroles. | The hollow stems of lovage can be used in the same way as celery. They have a spicy and peppery flavour, useful for stews, soups, salads and casseroles. | ||
Revision as of 05:50, 23 April 2016
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a vigorous, hardy perennial herb. Lovage is cold hardy. Lovage grows to a height of around 1.5 metres at its maturity after four years.
Description
Lovage has hollow stems.
The shiny leaves appear like those of celery or French parsley. They smell strongly of celery.
Lovage will grow to a height of about 2 metres (7 feet). It's a big plant and one alone is sufficient for a family.
The flowers are yellow, large and flat-topped. These appear in the middle of summer.
Other varieties of lovage
- Scots lovage (Levisticum scoticum)
Growing lovage
It is easy to grow lovage from seed or from root pieces. Plant in the spring or autumn.[1] Established plants can be lifted and divided in the spring; replant the side shoots. If transplanting lovage, this must be done very early in its growth as it develops a very long tap root.
Select an area with rich and moist soil, deeply dug, in a sunny and open position. Light shade will improve its flavour.[1]
If sowing seeds, use ones that have freshly ripened and plant in midsummer. To sow the seeds, sow 12mm/ 1/2 inch deep in drills.
Caring for lovage
Expect lovage to die back completely during the winter. Mark the area to avoid planting something else there. Take the leaves and dry them for winter use, before it dies back.
To capture seeds, remove the seed heads when turning brown. Place upside down in a paper bag to catch the seeds as they drop, or roll the seed heads and help the seeds to fall into the bag. Store in resealable bags or sealed containers.
Uses for lovage
The leaves, stems, roots and seeds of lovage are all edible.[1] The younger leaves are the best for culinary use, as they are the most tender.[1] A little goes a long way.
The hollow stems of lovage can be used in the same way as celery. They have a spicy and peppery flavour, useful for stews, soups, salads and casseroles.
Lovage seeds can be added to cakes, biscuits (cookies) and bread to add some piquancy.
The leaves can be used in tea.[1]
During the winter months, the root can be used, as well as dried leaves. To use the roots, lift when the plant is two to three years old, wash and dry. Store them in a cool place until needed.[1]