Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)

Botanical name

Allium schoenoprasum

Other names

Chives, Cive, Onion grass, Schnittlaugh, Seithes, Seives, Allium alpinum , Allium buhseanum, Allium gredense , Allium montanum , Allium oliganthum , Allium purpurascens , Allium raddeanum , Allium schmitzii var. duriminium, Wild chives

Genus

Allium Allium

Species

A. schoenoprasum - A. schoenoprasum is a clump-forming, bulbous perennial with erect, cylindrical, hollow, onion-scented, dark green leaves and dense, spherical umbels of tiny, bell-shaped, light purple flowers in summer.

Native to

Asia, Europe, North America

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Scented leaves

Habit

Erect, Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Purple in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs

Specific diseases

Onion rot

General care

Pruning

Deadhead or cut back after flowering.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Underplanting

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in sun. Plant in autumn 5-10cm deep. Add grit to clay soils to improve drainage. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)

Common pest name

Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera litura

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)

Common pest name

allium leaf miner

Scientific pest name

Phytomyza gymnostoma

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of Allium already present in UK and spreading; previous consultation supported awareness raising only; industry should prepare for the event of findings in commercial crops.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)

Common pest name

African cottom leafworm; Cotton leafworm; Egyptian cotton leafworm; Egyptian cotton worm; Mediterranean climbing cutworm; Meditteranea Brocade; Tobacco cutworm

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera littoralis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/