Garden Lovage: The Towering Herb That’s Part Celery, Part Character
Meet garden lovage (Levisticum officinale), the gentle giant of the herb world that’s been quietly impressing gardeners for centuries. This perennial powerhouse might not be native to North America, but it’s earned its place in herb gardens across the continent with its bold presence and culinary versatility.
What Exactly Is Garden Lovage?
Garden lovage is a robust perennial forb that belongs to the same family as carrots, parsley, and celery. Think of it as celery’s much taller, more dramatic cousin. This herbaceous plant lacks woody stems but makes up for it with impressive height and glossy, compound leaves that look like supersized celery foliage.
While sometimes known by its botanical name Levisticum officinale, most gardeners simply call it lovage or garden lovage. The plant has a few synonyms floating around in botanical circles, including Hipposelinum levisticum, but don’t let the fancy names intimidate you.
Where Does Lovage Call Home?
Originally hailing from the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and western Asia, garden lovage has made itself quite comfortable in cooler climates. In North America, you’ll find it growing in states and provinces from Nova Scotia down to New Mexico, including Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
As a non-native species, lovage reproduces spontaneously in the wild and tends to persist without human intervention, though it’s not considered invasive or problematic.
The Lovage Look: What to Expect
Garden lovage is nothing if not impressive. This perennial can reach towering heights of 4-6 feet, creating a dramatic backdrop in any garden setting. The plant produces large, glossy, dark green leaves that are deeply divided and look remarkably similar to celery leaves, just much larger and more architectural.
In summer, lovage sends up tall umbels of tiny yellow-green flowers that create an airy, cloud-like effect above the foliage. These flowers aren’t just pretty—they’re magnets for beneficial insects, including bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps that help keep garden pests in check.
Why Grow Garden Lovage?
There are several compelling reasons to consider adding lovage to your garden:
- Culinary versatility: Every part of the plant is edible, with leaves tasting like a cross between celery and parsley
- Architectural presence: Its impressive height and bold foliage add structure to garden beds
- Pollinator support: The flowers provide nectar for beneficial insects
- Low maintenance: Once established, it’s remarkably self-sufficient
- Long harvest season: You can harvest leaves from spring through fall
Perfect Garden Placement
Garden lovage shines in several garden styles:
- Herb gardens: As a centerpiece or back-of-border plant
- Cottage gardens: For that old-world, informal charm
- Kitchen gardens: Within easy reach for culinary harvesting
- Perennial borders: As a tall, structural element
Its impressive size makes it ideal for the back of borders or as a focal point in smaller herb gardens.
Growing Conditions: Keep It Happy
Garden lovage is surprisingly adaptable, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. Here’s what it needs to flourish:
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (appreciates some afternoon shade in hot climates)
- Soil: Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
- Water: Consistent moisture, especially during dry spells
- Space: Allow 2-3 feet between plants—they get big!
Planting and Care Tips
Getting started with lovage is straightforward:
- Starting: Grow from seed (sow in fall or spring) or divide established clumps
- Planting: Space plants 2-3 feet apart in enriched soil
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Fertilizing: Add compost annually; minimal additional fertilizer needed
- Harvesting: Pick young leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth
- Maintenance: Cut back flower stalks if you want to focus on leaf production
Consider Native Alternatives
While garden lovage isn’t problematic, you might also consider these native alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense): For shade and ground cover
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): For pollinator support and culinary use
- Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea): For similar architectural presence
The Bottom Line
Garden lovage might not be a native plant, but it’s a well-behaved garden citizen that offers impressive visual impact, culinary possibilities, and pollinator support. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance perennial that adds height, structure, and flavor to your garden, lovage deserves serious consideration. Just be prepared for compliments—and questions about that magnificent towering herb in your garden!
