Chives

Chives is the smallest plant in the onion family. It is an attractive clumping perennial with mildly onion flavoured soft leaves with edible lavender pompom flowers. It forms a low growing clump to 20-30 cm high and 20 cm wide. Chives are a commonly used herb and can be found in supermarkets or grown in home gardens. It is easy to grow and fairly cold tolerant. It does best in full sun but tolerates light shade. It prefers a rich, well-drained moist soil, 5.5 – 7 pH. Chives are handy for edging garden beds or growing in containers. They act as a natural pest repellent; both the leaves and flowers are edible. Sow spring and autumn.