LOVAGE SEEDS

Levisticum officinale ‘Mittelgroblättriger’

An ancient medicinal that is also eminently edible, lovage deserves a place in every garden. One plant will provide a household with nutritious and flavorful greens, seeds for seasoning, and a gentle expectorant and antidyspeptic medicine. This strain is especially vigorous with large fragrant leaves and roots. Ideal for medicinal use.

The flavor of lovage is similar to that of celery and parsley, with a particular aromatic quality that is not unlike mitsuba. Long used to avail humans of all manner of affliction, in the contemporary garden it is most valued for its early and delicious spring growth, hollow straw-like stems, and an aromatic root that may be candied or tinctured for use as medicine. Dried seeds and leaves ground with fleur de sel make an excellent celery salt.

Lovage is a long-lived perennial in most northern gardens and will grow in full sun to part shade in typical garden soil. Its stature is variable depending on culture, but it may grow to 6' in moist fertile soil if not harvested regularly. It is a wonderful alternative to common celery in hot summer climates. Leaves and stems cooked with onion make a superior soup base. Lovage is perfect for use in permaculture.

Hardy to zone 3, Lovage requires a cold winter to maintain a perennial habit. It is naturalized in some parts of the United States, but foraging is discouraged due to its resemblence to poisonous umbellifers.

Seeds are occasionally dormant and require cool temperatures to germinate, but generally are as easy to sprout as carrots. Sow generously outdoors several weeks before the last frost, or indoors in deep pots 6-8 weeks before transplanting outdoors, on or around the date of the last spring frost: tuck seeds just beneath the surface of moist soil, pressing to keep seed snug. Mist generously and cover with plastic. Kept moist in bright light at cool room temperature (around 60°F) seeds should germinate in about 2 weeks. Thin to one plant per container. Keep well watered in bright light until hardened off and transplanted outdoors.

Lovage plants can be quite large and should be spaced at least 3' apart. Happy plants in bloom will be upwards of 6'. Consider planting Lovage in a medicinal or insectary border. In drier soils plants will be less vigorous. Early spring growth is the most tender. All parts are edible and nutritious.

Packet contains at least 100 seeds.