Lovage

Known as the Maggi plant, the flavour is reminiscent of the famous yeast extract and can be used in the same way.

Use the celery-flavoured leaves either fresh, cooked or dried in soups, sauces, stews, salads and meat dishes. Use leaves moderately because of the strong flavour.

The seeds can be used as a spice similar to fennel seeds and the root as a vegetable.

The plant will die back to the ground in the autumn and regrow in the spring.

Stratify: Chilling seeds in the fridge for 2-3 weeks prior to sowing will promote germination by breaking seed dormancy.