Lovage (Levisticum officinale) 

Although Lovage is found growing in the wild in Great Brittain   it is truly native to the Balkans, Greece, southern France, and other Mediterranean regions. It was used medicinally to treat fever, colic by making a tea of its roots, and to test drinking water. For cooking, it has long been used in stews as a replacement for celery and has a strong distinct flavor. It can be propagated by dividing its roots or from seed. It is a perennial plant that goes dormant in winter but will return powerfully in the springtime. Lovage is almost a forgotten herb and is quite rare to find in the grocery store or local nursery, but will bring variety and beauty to your garden for years to come once planted.