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Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)
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2 hours care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
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.
Allium schoenoprasum is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Scented leaves
Habit
Erect, Clump-forming
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs Slugs
Onion rot Onion rot
General care
Pruning
Deadhead or cut back after flowering.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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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)
Companion plants
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
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Deadhead or cut back after flowering.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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