Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) – Hardy Perennial Herb (Set of 3 or 6)

Chives are one of the easiest perennial herbs to grow, cut all season for their mild onion flavour.

Plants form a neat clump of narrow, hollow, grass like leaves around 25 to 30cm tall and 15 to 20cm across. Snip the leaves close to the base as you need them and the clump keeps producing fresh growth. In June and July it carries globe shaped purple pink flowers, which are edible themselves and are worked heavily by bees and butterflies, so it is a useful companion plant beside vegetables and fruit.

It is fully hardy across Britain. The clump vanishes completely over winter and reshoots from the base in early spring, so do not assume you have lost it. Give it sun or partial shade and moist, well drained soil, and water in dry spells. Deadhead after flowering, or chives will self seed freely and become a nuisance. Divide established clumps every two or three years to keep them vigorous.

Supplied as three or six established plants, each in a 1L pot, ready for a border, a herb planter, a container or a bright kitchen windowsill.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Chives
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 25 to 30cm tall by 15 to 20cm across
• Growth Habit: Clump forming and upright
• Perfect For: Kitchen gardens, herb planters, containers, borders, a bright windowsill and companion planting
• Foliage: Narrow, hollow, grass like green leaves
• Flowering Time: June to July, globe shaped purple pink flowers
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade. Grows well in a pot
• Soil Type: Moist and well drained
• Hardiness: Fully hardy across Britain. It dies back completely over winter and reshoots in early spring
• Maintenance: Cut leaves at the base, deadhead after flowering to stop it self seeding and divide the clump every two or three years
• Seasonal Interest: Summer
• Type: Hardy herbaceous perennial herb