Lovage

Lovage is a fully hardy perennial. The rhizome overwinters in the ground without protection. Cut the dead shoots back close to the ground in autumn; it often does not shoot again until April, so do not give up too early. Place container plants against a sheltered wall and wrap the pot in horticultural fleece, because the roots in a pot freeze harder than in the ground.

The most reliable ways to propagate lovage are root division or sowing. Division is the easier method and is recommended for established plants: dig up the root ball in early spring before growth starts, or in late autumn while the soil is still frost-free. Rinse off the soil and divide the rhizome mass into segments with a sharp spade or knife; each piece needs at least one strong shoot bud and enough root mass. Replant the divisions with plenty of space (50 cm to 1 m, as the plant grows large and spreading). After a few years vigour declines; division then noticeably rejuvenates the plant. For sowing, you should know that lovage needs light to germinate and benefits from a cold period: sow the seeds from February/March in pots with nutrient-poor soil and cover them with no more than a thin layer (1 cm at most). You can cold-stratify the seeds beforehand for around two to three weeks, or sow directly outdoors in autumn or early spring so that the natural cold breaks dormancy. At 18 to 22 °C indoors, the seeds germinate after about 10 days; outdoors it can take much longer. From a height of about 15 cm you can plant the young plants out. Tip: fresh seeds that you harvest in autumn straight from the ripe, browning umbel germinate much better than stored ones. Lovage seeds do not keep for long.