Allium schoenoprasum

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chives

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Other common names

cive, onion grass, schnittlaugh, seithes, seives, cenhinen syfi

Synonyms

Allium buhseanum
Allium raddeanum
Allium oliganthum
Allium alpinum
Allium schmitzii var. duriminium
Allium purpurascens
Allium montanum
Allium gredense

Plants for pollinators
Bulbs Herbs - Culinary
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A small, bulbous perennial forming a clump of upright, narrowly cylindrical, hollow, onion-scented leaves up to 30cm tall. Rounded umbels of light purple bell-shaped flowers are held above the foliage. It is a popular and easy-to-use herb, both leaves and flowers are edible. Small flowers are also rich in nectar, attracting bees and other pollinators

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
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
Plant Range
Temp N Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in fertile, well-drained soil. Add grit when grown in clay soils to improve drainage. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See chive cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, bulbs or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Harvest leaves regularly to promote new, fresh growth. Alternatively, cut back the clump to 5cm from the base after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Onion white rot and onion downy mildew may occur