Lovage is a much underused culinary herb. It has giant, parsley like leaves on tall hollow stems. The flavor of the leaves and stems are celery like - leaves are terrific as salad greens, in soups, stir fry and steamed. The hollow stems are fun to use in your summertime bloody marys, as you can eat them and use them as a straw!

 

Yellow blooms attract butterflies, and the seeds are used for cooking as well. Often in mid summer we find lots of swallowtail caterpillars on this plant.

 

Lovage can grow to 4 feet in rich soil in a full sun garden. Give it plenty of elbow room and don't be shy about including it in your cooking!