Chives

(Perennial)

Chives 
A classic culinary herb with a mild onion flavour, chives are perfect for adding a fresh zing to salads, soups, and egg dishes. Belonging to the allium family (alongside garlic, onions, and leeks), they form dense clumps of hollow, grass-like leaves and produce stunning pale purple, bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators. Easy to grow, they’ll die back in winter and return every spring, making them a reliable addition to your herb garden.

Planting
• Where: Beds or containers in well-drained soil or compost.
• Position: Full sun or partial shade.

Care
• Watering: Keep well watered until established and during dry periods.
• Winter Care: Foliage will die back in winter and regrow in spring.

Height & Spread
• Size: 30–50cm × 30–40cm.

Harvesting
• How: Snip leaves and flowers as needed with scissors.
• Timing: Harvest in the morning for the best flavour.
• Tip: Frequent cutting encourages tender new growth; avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time to maintain health.

Top Tips
• Culinary Use: Perfect for eggs, baked potatoes, soups, and garnishes.
• Flower Power: Edible flowers are great for salads or as a colourful garnish.
• Companion Planting: Chives repel certain pests like aphids, making them excellent companions in your vegetable garden.