Chives & Garlic Chives

Chives are a versatile herb that belong to the onion and garlic family.
Ther are 2 types of Chives, the Common Chives that has lavender flowers with tubular leaves and Garlic Chives that have white flowers and a flatter leaf. 
Chives die down in autumn and re shoot in spring however in subtropics they remain an evergreen.
To keep clumps growing healthily, divide every 2-3 years.  Dig out clump with a garden fork, divide into sub clumps of about 10 - 12 bulbs, cut leaves right back to about 1" - 1.5" and plant in a sunny or semi shaded position.
Chives can survive dry periods but the common chives really thrive on extra water during summer to keep their growth lush.  

Both types of chives grow well in the ground or in pots and can cope with extended periods indoors on a sunny window sill.  In the veggie patch or in the garden, chives make a great decorative border plant.

Common Chives
Our common chives are several years old and came with us from King Street, along with a mediterranean soft Oregano, a lovely plant that trails over the pot edge and doesn't object to being heavily pruned back.

 

16-10-18   1st Chive flower for this year.

20-10-18

Garlic Chives
Our Garlic Chives came to us as a wonderful gift of a herb barrel for Christmas 2017.

16-10-18  Chives are doing well in the barrel, sadly the Sage got attacked but is now recovering nicely.  The dill of course died...dill does that, just turns up its toes.  Placed a pot of parsley at the edge of the pot to see how it likes to position, will have to transplant it shortly.

20-10-18