Fresh mild onion flavor makes Allium schoenoprasum useful in a kitchen garden, patio container, or sunny border edge. Hollow green leaves form a neat upright clump, followed by edible purple flower globes in spring and summer. The leaves can be harvested repeatedly from spring through fall, and the flowers also support pollinators.
Grow chives in full sun or partial shade and keep active growth evenly moist. Add a light compost layer in spring. Harvest outer leaves regularly, then cut the clump back to about 2 inches after flowering when complete renewal is needed. Divide crowded clumps in spring. Chives are safe for normal human culinary use but toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, so keep cut leaves away from animals.
