Is it Lovage?

[amandaandherveg]

I've been digging over the neighbours garden which has been left untouched for 10 years. There's an area that was completely covered, and I mean covered, in what my friend has identified as lovage.

I Googled it to have a look at some pics and it would appear that she is correct. The stuff I've been digging up has really crunchy stems, looks very simular to celery. Does this sound like lovage to you?

[Flummery]

Is it 6 ft tall with umbels of yellow flowers just forming? Because mine is! Could yours be alexanders?

[goldmother]

It sounds like Lovage to me! Ours comes up every year without fail, it has a strong celery taste with quite large leaves. I use the younger leaves (they can be a bit bitter as they get older) finely chopped and mixed with philadelphia on bagels for lunch. Depending on how frugal I'm feeling I add smoked salmon, pickled herrings or radishes. It's delicious!

[Flummery]

Lovage is HUGE!

[Alice]

Taste it Amandandherveg. If the leaves look like celery, and it tastes like celery. it's lovage. Makes a great pot of soup.