Herbaceous layer · Perennial culinary herb
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
A compact perennial allium for culinary use and orchard understoreys. Soft onion flavour and purple flowers that bees visit.
Also known as: Chives
Layer
Herbaceous layer
Climate
Subtropical, Warm temperate, Temperate, Cool temperate
Sun
Full sun to partial shade.
Water
Even moisture; mulch in dry spells.
Soil
Fertile free-draining soil.
Size
0.2–0.4 m H · 0.2–0.3 m clumps W
Growth
Moderate
Frost
Frost hardy; dies back in hard winters and returns.
Edible uses
Leaves, Flowers
Harvest window
Most of the year in mild climates; spring–autumn elsewhere
Ecological functions
Insectary flowers · Living mulch clumps · Allium diversity
Wildlife value
Bee forage on flowers
Human uses
Culinary herb · Garnish
Propagation
Division or seed.
Maintenance
Divide clumps every few years; cut flowering stems if you want more leaf.
NZ growing notes
Easy nationwide. Excellent at citrus and apple drip lines without competing aggressively.
In the food forest
Chives are a tidy herbaceous companion under citrus and apples. Flowers feed bees; leaves give steady kitchen harvests without shading fruit.
Establishment
Plant clumps in spring or autumn into fertile soil. Water to establish. Divide when crowded. Harvest outer leaves regularly.
NZ honesty
Honest nationwide. One of the lowest-risk understorey herbs for beginners.
Suitable NZ regions
Companion plants
References
- NZ kitchen garden practice — Reliable perennial herb.