Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Chinese Chives;Flowering Onion

Description:

A lovely ornamental and edible selection, ideal for window boxes, patio containers or herb gardens; showcasing edible green, grass-like foliage topped with fragrant white flowers; a mildly zesty addition to salads, marinades or dried for seasonings

Edible Qualities

Garlic Chives is a perennial herb that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. The entire above-ground parts of the plant are edible, and can be harvested at any time in the season. The edible parts have a zesty taste and a pleasant fragrance.

The plant is most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Eating When Cooked/Prepared
• Cooking
• Drying

Features & Attributes

Garlic Chives has masses of beautiful clusters of lightly-scented white star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from early summer to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its grassy leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the season. The green fruits are held in clusters from late spring to mid fall.

This is an herbaceous perennial herb with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Invasive
• Self-Seeding

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Garlic Chives is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• General Garden Use
• Herb Gardens

Planting & Growing

Garlic Chives will grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity extending to 16 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant is typically grown in a designated herb garden. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.