Lovage

Lovage thrives best in full sun or light partial shade. Given its robust growth (reaching a height of 100 to 170 cm), it is best planted as a solitary specimen so that it has enough space to grow and does not unnecessarily shade or crowd out more delicate neighboring plants in the bed.

Certainly, it is an absolute classic of traditional cottage gardens that even a complete beginner can successfully grow. Simply transplant the seedling to a bright spot in loamy soil and ensure it receives a regular supply of water during the summer. It does not require pruning into shape, does not need winter protection, and is not susceptible to any pests.

Definitely! Both fresh and dried leaves are excellent as a highly aromatic seasoning (popular as so-called 'green Maggi') for soups, sauces, or various meats. You can also use the sturdy stems with yellow flowers in rustic vases, where they stay fresh for about a week, or let them dry out; they will then beautifully scent any dried floral arrangement.

You can harvest fresh young leaves from the plant continuously throughout the season from spring until autumn. The leaves have the most distinct aroma and flavor just before the plant blooms. Carefully pick or cut the leaves from the bottom so as not to damage the center from which new shoots gradually grow.

Yes, you need to account for this real risk in advance. Due to its massive growth reaching an impressive height of 100 to 170 centimeters and the formation of a very robust root clump, lovage can quite easily crowd out and shade smaller, more delicate plants. Therefore, it is primarily planted as a standalone specimen or in the unused corners of garden beds.

Although the herb is very resilient, yellowing of the leaves can occur due to insufficient or, conversely, excessive watering. Ensure that the plant is not sitting in waterlogged soil (this happens most often when growing in a pot). In the heat of summer, it may conversely be a reaction to prolonged drought. Therefore, regularly check the moisture of the soil around the roots.

Lovage blooms with tiny, pastel yellow flowers during July and August. Once they fade, it is ideal to cut back the entire stems. This simple action prevents seed formation (which unnecessarily exhausts the plant) and, conversely, encourages the rapid production of fresh young leaves that you can then harvest in abundance again.

Because this seedling will grow into a very massive clump, we recommend planting only 1 to 2 plants per square meter. The ideal spacing should be approximately 60 centimeters so that the herb has enough room for its roots and leaves to spread and to ensure good air circulation around it.

One of the greatest advantages of lovage is its tremendous resilience and vitality. In our conditions, it is practically completely maintenance-free; it does not suffer from common pests at all and is avoided by typical plant diseases. You can look forward to completely hassle-free cultivation that requires no chemicals.

Certainly! In addition to being a wonderful kitchen staple, lovage is a significant pollinator magnet during its flowering period (throughout July and August). Its pastel yellow umbels are literally a magnet for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, bringing much-needed life to your garden.

The plant is completely edible, safe, and even very popular in Czech cuisine. However, its taste and aroma are incredibly intense, so you only need to add a very small amount (one or two leaves) to your dishes. For extremely sensitive individuals, however, harvesting the leaves in direct, strong sunlight can exceptionally cause mild skin irritation, so we recommend harvesting the herb early in the morning or in the evening.

Once your purchased seedling grows significantly in the flower bed after a few years, you can easily propagate the plant vegetatively, that is, by dividing the clump. The most suitable time for this procedure is early spring, before the herb begins to sprout fully, or alternatively in the autumn after all the above-ground parts have died back.