Chives - Allium schoenoprasum - €5 per plant

This perennial member of the onion family sports beautiful purple flowers much loved by pollinating insects such as bees and wasps. A firm favourite in the herb garden, Chives are cool-season, cold-tolerant perennial ,a wonderful kitchen herb and a valuable garden ally confusing pests with their strong aroma. Have the plants scattered around the garden to utilize their pest repellent and fungicidal properties.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Europe - E.Asia 
  • native habitat: Rocky pastures and damp meadows, preferring calcareous soils
  • family: Alliaceae

Predators

  • We have not come across any pest or predation for this plant in our garden 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a - 9b
  • Prefers dry or moist soil
  • Water when dry in summer  
  • Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer


Known hazards 

  • There have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of this plant. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible

Overview

  • 10cm x 12cm plant bag  
  • Bulbous perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in)
  • In flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, lepidoptera, self.
  • The plant is self-fertile. 
  • Noted for attracting wildlife. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • Can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 
  • It prefers moist soil.

Characteristics

  • form: Bulbous perennial 
  • layer : Ground Layer
  • habit: Clumping bulbous plant, spreading  
  • height x width (m): 0.3 x 0.3
  • years to bearing yield: 0-1 year  
  • productive life span: Indefinite 

Products 

  • Bulbs: Can be harvested with the leaves still attached and be used as spring onions
  • Leaf: Excellent in salads and omelettes. 
  • Flowers: Delicious intense flavour
  • Insecticide:  A spray made from the juice of the plants is said to increase the resistance of other plants to diseases and fungal attack.

Functions, behaviours

  • Bulbous growth spreading if undisturbed 
  • The bulbs divide rapidly and large clumps are quickly formed
  • Flowers in summer 
  • Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project