Chives (Herb Seeds)
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Allium schoenoprasum
Perennial ~ Height 30cm ~ Hardy
A clump forming herb with slender bulbs, cylindrical hollow leaves and pretty pink to purple globe shaped flowers in late spring or early summer. The leaves and flowers have a mild onion flavour.
Fresh leaves can be snipped into salads or used for butter, sauces, soups and vegetable, egg or cheese dishes.
Chives make excellent companion plants. They deter carrot rootfly and help to prevent black spot on roses and scab on apples. They also help to prevent leaf curl on trees, particularly peaches.
For culinary use it is preferable to prevent flowering by cutting off flower buds - this will encourage leafy growth. However, the flowers are edible and attractive to bees so why not leave a clump to flower too?
Tolerates most soil conditions but prefers rich, moist soil and a sunny position.