Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) - Native Edible Herb & Pollinator Magnet for Sunny Borders (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

Neat, upright hollow leaves and mauve pompon flowers make Allium schoenoprasum as beautiful as it is useful. A UK-native in the wild (and long-cultivated in gardens), chives bring reliable early-mid summer nectar for bees and hoverflies while offering a steady harvest of edible leaves and flowers. Compact clumps suit sunny borders, herb gardens, pots and the dry side of pond edges (it’s not an aquatic plant). Expect around 25-40 cm tall in bloom with a 20-30 cm spread; clumps thicken modestly and are easy to divide. Perfect for wildlife-friendly planting around ponds and patios where you want colour, flavour and pollinator support in one.

Where it thrives

• Light: Full sun (tolerates light/partial shade)

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil or peat-free compost; avoid waterlogged sites

• Setting: Herb beds, front-of-border, containers, and the dry pond rim just beyond damp planting

Planting & care

• Plant in peat-free compost/soil; water to establish, then it’s quite drought-tolerant

• Shear after flowering (or deadhead) to tidy and encourage fresh leaves; leave a few seedheads if you like a natural look

• Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring or early autumn to refresh and share plants

• For kitchen use, harvest by snipping leaves from the base; flowers are edible and great for salads

Safety (important & honest):
Edible for people when grown in clean soil - wash before eating. Alliums can be harmful to cats, dogs and livestock if eaten; site away from grazing and dispose of trimmings with normal garden waste. Do not let soil or clippings wash into ponds or watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
Chive flowers are genuinely nectar-rich, supporting bees and hoverflies in early-mid summer. Pair with spring and late-season bloomers to keep forage running all season.

Joel says…
“Small plant, big value - colour, flavour and bees all in one. Dot clumps along sunny paths or the dry pond rim, give them a post-bloom haircut, and enjoy fresh leaves for months.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ordering perennials between the months of October and March, including aquatic plants, please be aware that this is the dormant phase for perennials, so your plants may arrive showing potentially little or no top growth at this stage, or can in some cases still have some old leaves from last year showing also. Please don't worry, as this is all quite normal. Once the weather warms up in spring, you will start to see fresh growth and activity! If you ever have any concerns at all, please just message the team on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll always do our best to help.