Plant details
- Common Name: Chives
- Genus: Allium
- Species: schoenoprasum
- Skill Level: beginner
- Exposure: full sun
- Hardiness: hardy
- Soil type: chalky/alkaline, dry, moist, sandy, well-drained/light
- Height: 0.45m
- Spread: 0.15m
- Time to plant seeds: April to May
- Flowering period: July to August
Chives are popular perennial bulbs that spread to form neat tufted clumps, ideal for edging beds and paths, and particularly attractive when in flower. Regularly harvesting the tops of the pleasantly onion-flavoured leaves, used to flavour all kinds of dishes, also helps to stimulate further new young growth, which has the best flavour. The attractive flowers, mauve in rounded heads, are edible, make a pretty garnish, and are a favourite of bees and other pollinating insects. Chives are easily raised from seed, or a bought potful may be divided for growing on to produce several strong clumps.
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Comments and rating
Overall rating (from 1 ratings):
5 out of 5
After watching Wednesday's Edible Garden I decided I wanted to add chives to my garden as they are edible & pretty! I have today been out and brought a couple of pots for planting tomorrow! Thanks Alys.
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gralins commented on this article
13 May 2009
i have a large allotment which has a real problem with mares tail, do you have any suggestions on how to clear this weed??
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