Allium schoenoprasum

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Plant
ID 1424 Allium schoenoprasum
Botanic Name Allium schoenoprasum
Common Name Chives, Wild Chives, Onion Grass
Family Name Alliaceae
Cultivars 'Corsican White', 'Forescate', 'Snow Cap', 'Pink Giant', syn. Allium sibiricum,
Origin Europe, Asia, North America, Zone 4-9
Growth Type Bulbs & Corms
Bark Type Stemless / Acaulescent
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 700
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.3 - 0.6 m (1 - 2 ft) Spread 0.3 m (1 ft)
Plant Overview
This bulbous perennial forms a grass-like tufted habit with upright cylindrical hollow dark green leaves. The purple bell-shaped flowers appear in rounded heads that are held above the foliage on a tall stem and appear during summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Linear
The terete, dark to grey green hollow linear leaves are up to 350 mm (14 in) long by 25 mm (1 in) wide and have an onion aroma when crushed. Note; the ovoid-cylindrical bulbs are up to 10 mm (3/8in) in diameter with a membranous greyish-brown tunic.
Arrangement Basal
Margin Entire
Colour Dark green
Size 280 - 350 mm ( 11.0 - 13.8 in )
Flower
Perfume Faint Additional Information
Shape Campanulate
The small pink-mauve fragrant campanulate flowers are up to 7 mm (¼ in) wide and have 6-petals. There are 8-30 flowers arranged in terminal spherical umbel above the foliage on a scape that is up to 400 mm (16 in) tall from spring to summer.
Inflorescence Umbel
Colour Mauve - Purple
Size 5 - 7 mm ( 0.2 - 0.3 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Capsule Additional Information
Colour Brown
The brown 3-valve capsule is up to 4 mm (1/8 in) wide and contains numerous tiny black seeds are very viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively. Note: Contact with the plant may cause skin irritation.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive No
Size 3 - 4 mm ( 0.1 - 0.2 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, reliable moist fertile, sandy, clay or loamy soil, pH 6.0-7.0
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes and roof gardens
Climate Cold - cool temperate
Aspect Full sun to semi shade, open position, drought tender and frost-cold tolerant
Pest & Diseases Susceptible to downy mildew, white rot, onion fly
Fertiliser Add compost matter to the soil, keep moist apply liquid fertiliser for potted plants
Pruning May be divided every 2 to 3 years to increase vigour, cut foliage regularly to maintain flavour
Cultural Uses Propagation
Chives are grown for its milder onion-like flavoured leaves and flower stems (scape). It is used ornamentally in rock gardens or along borders in cottage. It is also grown in pots and foliage is cut and is used raw, cooked or dried in salads, soups.
Sow fresh seeds in situ from spring to summer or early autumn and space seedlings 300 mm (1 ft) apart. Divide offsets during autumn. Divide established clumps (rhizome) during spring.
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