Chives

Description

Allium schoenoprasum – chives

Botanical name: Allium schoenoprasum
Common names: Chives
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Plant type: Bulbous perennial herb
Habit: Clump-forming, grassy
Pot size: 9cm pot
Eventual size: Approx. 20–30cm tall × 30cm spread
Foliage: Slim, hollow, grassy green leaves with a mild onion scent
Flowers: Rounded pompom heads of pink-purple flowers in early summer (May–July)
Scent: Mild onion scent to the foliage
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 3–9
Exposure: Sheltered or open; tolerant
Native range: Native to Europe, including the UK, and Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Safe for people as a herb, but toxic to cats and dogs — like all onions and garlic, chives can harm pets if eaten

Allium schoenoprasum, chives, is an easy, clump-forming herb with slim grassy leaves and rounded pink-purple pompom flowers in early summer. Pretty, productive and much loved by bees, it is ideal for borders and pots.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the easiest and prettiest of all herbs, chives form neat, grassy clumps of slim, mild onion-scented leaves, topped in early summer with charming rounded pompom heads of pink-purple flowers that bees adore. As happy in an ornamental border or a pot as in a herb garden, chives are hardy, productive and reliable, and edge a path beautifully.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Keep the soil reasonably moist for lush growth. Chives are easy and adaptable, and grow well in containers as well as borders and herb gardens. Space about 25–30cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Cut back through the season to encourage fresh leaves, and remove faded flowerheads to keep it tidy and prevent excessive self-seeding. Cut down old growth in autumn. Lift and divide congested clumps every few years in spring to keep them vigorous. Keep moist for the best foliage.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide clumps in spring or autumn — quick and easy.
• Seed: Sow seed in spring; it self-seeds gently if flowers are left.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Chives are actually useful in the garden, as their onion scent is thought to help deter some pests. Onion white rot and rust can occasionally affect them. Otherwise easy and robust.

Uses in the garden

Charming in herb gardens, ornamental and cottage borders, as edging, and in containers, where the grassy foliage and pretty pompom flowers earn their place; often grown among roses and vegetables as a companion plant.

Wildlife value

The pompom flowers are very attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, making chives a genuinely useful ornamental as well as a herb.

Toxicity & safety

Chives are a safe, familiar culinary herb for people, but note that — like all onions and garlic — they are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so site them away from pets inclined to chew plants.

GardenAdvice tip

Chives are one of the most rewarding, dual-purpose herbs — grassy clumps that are as at home in an ornamental border or pot as in the herb garden, with pretty pink pompom flowers that bees love. Let some flower for the bees, but deadhead the rest before they seed, as they can self-sow freely. Do bear in mind that, as an onion relative, they’re not safe for cats and dogs to eat.

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