Chive - Allium schoenoprasum
200 Seeds
Sow March - June.
Hardy perennial.
Height and spread 30cm (12in).
Prefers a fairly rich, well-drained soil in a sunny position with partial shade.
Sow seeds 0.5cm (¼") deep, in small pots of compost , lightly covering the seed with a sprinkling of compost. Water well and place at a temperature of 15-20°C. Alternatively sow outdoors March-May where they are to crop, 0.5cm (¼") deep, directly into finely-prepared soil.
This bulb plant has hollow, dark green leaves, which are cylindrical and very slender, tapering to a point at the top. They are 6-10" long with a surrounding stem at the base. Flowering stems shoot up from the bulb. The small, pale purple flower forms a dense, globular umbel at the top of the stem, which appear in summer. The petals have bluish purple anthers. Grow near the roots of apple trees to help prevent apple scab. It also helps prevent black spot in roses. Carrots grow larger than normal when planted with chives.
