Fantastically easy to grow, these bulbous plants grow well in a pot or in the ground. They will last from year to year, dying back to below ground in the winter and re-sprouting with a fresh crop of leaves which can be harvested from about March onwards. They have grass-like, dark green leaves, which provide an attractive contrast with the foliage of most other herbs. If not cut back regularly, they produce pretty small globes of tiny pale purple flowers in summer.

They grow to about 30-60cm tall and 5cm wide and should be planted in clumps over the area you want to fill. Apart from the usual type, there is a larger and more vigorous variety called "Forescate" with bright purplish pink flowers and there is also a rarer white-flowered type. Another alternative are the Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum) which have a very mild garlic flavour rather than the onion flavour of the usual chives. Both its leaves and its white flowers can be used in salads.

Planting
Usually bought as growing pots of bulbs, these can be planted any time of the year. However, if you want to economise, you could try collecting seed from a friend's plants and sow them straight into the ground in spring.

Soil and position
Chives are fully hardy and can be grown outdoors even in colder areas. They prefer fertile, well-drained soil in full sun but will cope pretty well with some shade. Avoid waterlogged soil.

Care
Very easy to look after. Just keep trimming them back to stop them flowering for plenty of fresh leaves from spring until autumn.