Allium schoenoprasum f. albiflorum
white-flowered chives
A clump-forming, bulbous herbaceous perennial, up to 30cm high, with edible, hollow, cylindrical, grass-like leaves, and spherical, pure white flowerheads, 1.5cm across, in early summer
Synonyms
Allium schoenoprasum 'Alba'Allium schoenoprasum 'Album'
see moreAllium schoenoprasum white-flowered
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | Grey Silver | |
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Allium are bulbous herbaceous perennials with a strong onion or garlic scent, linear, strap-shaped or cylindrical basal leaves and star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in an umbel on a leafless stem
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun or partial shade; for edible leaves, grow in moist but well-drained medium soil, while for flowers, grow in lighter and drier soil. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See chive cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed (may not come true if non-white chives are growing nearby) or by division during spring or autumn into groups of 5 or 6 plants, and replant at spacings of 20-30cm
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
No pruning required, except cutting the leaves for eating, preferably with scissors, and deadheading
Pests
May be susceptible to allium leaf miner and onion fly
Diseases
May be susceptible to onion white rot and onion downy mildew
Get involved
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