Ligusticum scoticum

RHS Plant Profile

Scots lovage

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Other common names

Scotch lovage, sea lovage, sea parsley

Synonyms

Angelica sinensis 'Summer Delight'
Ligusticum 'Summer Delight'
Angelica 'Summer Delight'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A herbaceous perennial, up to 60cm high, with glossy green leaves divided into three toothed leaflets. Domed clusters of tiny greenish-white flowers are borne on tall reddish stems in summer, followed by yellow seedheads. Used as a culinary herb; all parts of the plant are edible

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Ligusticum is a genus of around 60 species of perennials native to cool, temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Forming compact clumps of glossy green, feathery foliage, they produce umbels of small, white flowers between June and August.
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: N Eur to E N US

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in well-drained soil in full sun, in areas with cooler summers; dislikes excess heat

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown as soon as ripe in containers in a cold frame, or in spring with bottom heat at 18°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, celery leaf-mining fly and cuckoo spit

Diseases

Generally disease-free