{"product_id":"chives-plants","title":"Chives Plants","description":"\u003cul class=\"pdp-specs\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chives\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAllium schoenoprasum\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–30cm (6–12in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy (H7)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Salads, eggs, potatoes, soft cheese, fish, soups, edible flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent: 15cm+ pot\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRHS AGM:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pot-grown plants (P9), hand-sown by us\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e March–October\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c!-- EXPERT: confirm herb dispatch window for Delivered line --\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollection:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/herbs\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHerbs\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChives are the easiest and most reliable herb in the kitchen garden: a fully hardy perennial that returns every year, produces edible purple flowers in spring, and asks almost nothing in return.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChives – The Herb That Earns Its Keep\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChives are the only member of the onion family found wild across three continents: Europe, Australia, and North America. Despite this ancient heritage, they weren't cultivated in European gardens until the 16th century. In China they were a favourite as long ago as 3,000 BC, valued for their mild onion flavour and used as an antidote to poison and to stop bleeding. Their culinary virtues were first reported to the West by Marco Polo. Say no more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a garden plant, chives ask almost nothing. They're fully hardy to H7, the hardiest rating the RHS gives, covering the Scottish Highlands, and it dies back in winter to re-emerge reliably each spring. Full sun or partial shade, any reasonable soil that doesn't waterlog, and they get on with it. Divide the clumps every three years to maintain vigour; beyond that, the main task is harvesting, which the plant actively benefits from. Cut the whole clump back to 5cm above the soil and fresh growth returns within a fortnight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe flowers are edible and worth having. They appear in May and June: purple globes on stems above the leaves, working beautifully scattered over salads and soft cheeses. Don't deadhead them all; let a few go to seed and volunteer plants will follow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting Companions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChives planted next to roses are said to reduce black spot; next to apple trees, to help suppress scab. The mechanism (sulphurous compounds deterring fungal spores) is plausible and the combination looks well regardless. In the herb garden, chives sit naturally alongside \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flat-leaf-parsley-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eflat-leaf parsley\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tarragon-plants-artemisia-dracunculus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFrench tarragon\u003c\/a\u003e, completing the classic fines herbes quartet. For more aromatic companions, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lavender-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eour lavender range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy Your Herbs from Ashridge?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur chives are hand-sown by our team, grown without neonicotinoids, and arrive in recycled pots. A perennial that returns each year and divides into more plants than you started with: good value in every sense. We guarantee every plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo chives come back every year?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Fully hardy (H7), they die back in winter and re-emerge reliably each spring. One well-maintained plant, divided every three years, keeps producing indefinitely and gives you more plants to spread or give away with each division.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow chives in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and they do it well. A 15cm pot is sufficient for a small clump; 20–25cm supports a larger, more productive one. Divide every two or three years even in pots, as a congested clump produces less. One of the best herbs for a kitchen windowsill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre chive flowers edible?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and they're one of the pleasures of growing chives. The purple flowers in May and June have a mild onion flavour and look beautiful scattered over salads, soft cheese, or eggs. Pick them just as they open for the best flavour and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I harvest chives?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut the whole clump back to about 5cm above the soil using scissors or shears. It looks severe but fresh growth follows within two weeks and total harvest is far greater than picking individual blades. Do this two or three times through the season for the most productive plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between chives and garlic chives?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommon chives (Allium schoenoprasum) have hollow round leaves and a mild onion flavour. Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) have flat leaves and taste more of garlic. Both are useful kitchen herbs; we grow the common form, which is more versatile across a wider range of dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Ashridge Nurseries","offers":[{"title":"Potted \/ P9","offer_id":56773229281606,"sku":"HERBALLSCH-P9","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/files\/potted-chives.webp?v=1781530655","url":"https:\/\/www.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/products\/chives-plants","provider":"Ashridge Nurseries","version":"1.0","type":"link"}