Lovage , Levisticum officinale, is a perennial herb that grows four to five feet tall. It resembles a giant celery plant with a similar but stronger flavor. The stems are hollow so they are often used as straws in tomato drinks. The leaves can also be cut for use in soups and salads. Harvest the stems and leaves anytime through the season.
Lovage likes a rich moist soil and does well with some shade.
It makes a nice background plant in flower or herb gardens. Salad burnet , Poterium sanguisorba, is also a winter hardy perennial herb. The small leaves appear to be cut out by pinking shears. Salad burnet grows to about 12 inches tall with a mounding habit. The flowers are not terribly showy but interesting as rounded, pinkish heads borne above the leaves.