CHIVES
SPRING 2019
PLANTS FROM MY MOM'S GARDEN
CHIVES, ALLIUM SCHOENOPRASUM, ARE AN EDIBLE SPECIES OF THE GENUS ALLIUM. THEIR CLOSE RELATIVES INCLUDE GARLIC, SHALLOT, LEEK, SCALLION, AND CHINESE ONION. A PERENNIAL PLANT, IT IS WIDESPREAD IN NATURE ACROSS MUCH OF EUROPE, ASIA, AND NORTH AMERICA. CHIVES ARE A COMMONLY USED HERB, THE SCAPES AND THE UNOPENED, IMMATURE FLOWER BUDS ARE USED OFTEN AS WELL AS THE EDIBLE FLOWERS. CHIVES HAVE INSECT REPELLING PROPERTIES THAT CAN BE USED IN GARDENS. IT'S ALSO A GREAT POLLINATOR.