chives 'garlic'
garlic chives or Allium tuberosum
A close relative of ordinary chives, and used in just the same way to flavour cooking, garlic chives have flattened, strappy leaves and a pleasantly garlic taste particularly when leaves are snipped off young. The big healthy clumps come back year after year, and in late summer the starry white flower heads are a real bonus, much loved by bees. The flowers can be eaten too: pick just after they open and sprinkle on salads for a pretty and spicy garnish.
How to care for Allium tuberosum:
Chives thrive in a sunny position with well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for borders or containers. For potted plants, use a container with good drainage holes and fill it with a free-draining compost mix, such as a blend of multipurpose compost and grit, or loam based compost such as John Innes.
When planting, ensure the root ball sits at the same level as it did in its nursery pot, and water well after planting. Place the container in a sunny spot and water regularly during dry spells, allowing the top layer of compost to dry out between waterings.
Keep well-watered and snip off flowers to keep plants producing new leaves. In late summer after flowering cut all leaves down to about 5cm (2in) above ground level to encourage a new flush of young growth.
When planting, ensure the root ball sits at the same level as it did in its nursery pot, and water well after planting. Place the container in a sunny spot and water regularly during dry spells, allowing the top layer of compost to dry out between waterings.
Keep well-watered and snip off flowers to keep plants producing new leaves. In late summer after flowering cut all leaves down to about 5cm (2in) above ground level to encourage a new flush of young growth.
Sowing instructions:
Choose a rich soil in sun or part shade and sow sparingly into shallow drills in spring. Cover lightly with more soil and water well. They can also be sown in seed trays full of potting compost: pot on seedlings as they grow and transplanting outside allowing 10cm between plants.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.35m
Eventual spread:
0.2m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This herb dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
-
Pets: TOXIC if eaten
9cm pot
was £7.99
now £6.39
In stock
(shipped within 2-3 working days)
(shipped within 2-3 working days)
2 + 1 FREE 9cm pots
was £15.98
now £12.78
£4.26 each
In stock
(shipped within 2-3 working days)
(shipped within 2-3 working days)
approx 120 seeds
£2.19
In stock
(shipped within 2-3 working days)
(shipped within 2-3 working days)
1
