Chives

Oh, yes indeed in you can! You don't need to wait for flowers before using it.

 

Thank you very much ladies

 

Big fat Ram chomped that clump down to the ground a few weeks back, recovered nicely.

 

Hiya Zigs

What I particularly like about them is the decorative element. They wouldn't look out of place in a flower border, or maybe in a large container with other plants.

 

Freddy, chives sell cheaply, maybe it would be worth buying a specimen instead of going the seed route? Bear in mind they need dividing every 3-4 years, you may know someone who has a clump they are splitting?

 

Hiya "M"

I would probably need quite a few (maybe 4 or 5?) "specimens" to satisfy my needs, so maybe not so cheap? I'll check out my local G/C though. I don't know of anyone locally that grows them, so not really an option. I'm quite happy to grow from seed, as a :ahem: 'gardener', I've learned to be patient.

 

Not too late to sow now - I sow mine during summer (just did some last week in 9cm pots) - they overwinter in their pots outside and might look dead but new growth comes in Spring - and they produce a few flowers soon after. Mmmm chive mash potatoes

S

 

Makes perfect sense seeing as "nature" is maturing the flower heads right now and ready for scattering seedlings

I have two clumps, if you would like (and no worries if you don't), I could divide a clump and would be happy to send you some? But yes, seed spent now in situ would probably give you some choice pieces to select the stronger ones

I have grown chives on the kitchen windowsill at this time of year, so that's another avenue you could consider?

 

And I have seeds if you would like some - just scatter a pinch full in a pot, lightly cover with compost, under a prop lid job done.

S

 

Hiya "M"

Thanks for your very kind offer, appreciated PM sent

 

Blimey, plants and seed! What a friendly bunch we have here

Hiya sumbody, I would be pleased to accept your kind offer, PM sent...

 

I discovered today that my dad has grown chives this year. I'm impressed. I'd got it into my head that they only grew about 6 inches tall for some reason, and that the flavour was very mild. How wrong I was. They are about 18 inches tall, very pretty flowers popular with bumblebees. I tasted a bit and it was lovely.

Me dad reckons they will thrive in part shade, and that they'll keep blooming all summer. Is this right? I'd normally take my dad's word as gospel in such matters but this is his first year with chives

 

Mine are in a pot Clueless so they grow to about a foot in height.

They will cope with shade, mine don't see the sun until about 2pm and yes, they'll bloom all summer and will continue to grow right through to the first frosts when they will die back for winter.

 

Sounds like my perfect plant. I wonder how I missed it for all these years. Pretty, low maintenance?? bees love it, edible and delicious.

 

You can get garlic ones as well - they are a bit taller and have white flowers - a mild garlic/onion flavour. I grew some years ago but over the years they have not survived as well (have only 1 "floppy" pot) - think they are also known as Chinese Chives. Hmmm - might get some seeds and have another go.

S