Ligusticum mutellina

RHS Plant Profile
alpine lovage

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Other common names

alpine lovage

Synonyms

Meum mutellina

Herbaceous Perennial

A perennial to around 20cm high, with finely divided, feathery green leaves. Upright stems bear broad, flat clusters of purple buds that open to tiny white or pink flowers in mid to late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or 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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in any well-drained soil in a sunny position, will not tolerate shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame in autumn, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Banks and slopes

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews and rust diseases