| Botanical Name: |
| Allium schoenoprasum |
| Common names: |
| common chives or onion chives |
| Description: |
| The common chive makes an attractive edging for a flower garden or border, as well as a versatile herb to have on hand in the kitchen. Its green, grass-like leaves grow 12 inches tall and end in a single pink or purple pom-pom like flower. It's commonly used for culinary purposes due to its mild onion flavor. |
| Life Cycle: |
| hardy perennial |
| Exposure: |
| full sun or partial shade |
| Cultivation: |
| Chives like moist, fertile, well-drained soil. They are easily started from seeds in the spring and grow attractively in large clumps along garden walkways and borders. Harvesting can be extended for as long as nine months if the plants are given protection from frost. Chives also grow well in pots and window boxes and are often grown in a sunny windowsill in the kitchen. Remove flowers as they form to prevent plants from over-exhaustion and divide as necessary in the spring or fall. |
| Propagation: |
| division or seeds |
| Parts Used: |
| leaves |
| Harvesting and Storage: |
| Cut young leaves for use as needed. Pinch them off at the base to avoid unsightly brown stubs. |
| Medicinal Uses: |
| mild antiseptic |
| Culinary Uses |
| onion flavored garnish for a variety of dishes, soups, salads, etc. |
| Other Uses: |
| perennial beds and borders |
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services.
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Yes, they are easy to grow, but be careful...the beautiful little purple flowers have tiny black seeds when they die back and will start more chives everywhere......even places you can't imagine how they got there! I usually try to pick off the dead heads as soon as the flower fades, or my whole garden is full of chives!!
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