Allium schoenoprasum

One of the most common herbs and are often used for garnishing food. They are the smallest members of the onion family and date back to early roman times. They grow in chumps with bright green , thin cylindrical stems topped with large pink or purple pompom flowers in midsummer. If the chives are to be used for cooking rather than purely decorative purposes, snip off the flowers to keep the oniony flavor in the leaves.

Chives prefer a rich, damp soil and should be grown in a sunny position. They are ideal for growing in containers as they grow to a height of 6-10 in, but make sure they do not dry out. Chives are perennial plants, growing from bulbs. The clumps of bulbs can be dug up and divided either in spring or fall.

Legends: Grow chives around the roots of an apple tree to improve the health of the tree.

"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."
Proverbs 17