Chinese Chives Beginning To Bloom

08/07/2008
The Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum) plants in our garden are beginning to bloom. The white, sweetly scented umbels will persist throughout the month of August and make excellent cut flowers. Also attractive to bees, these garlic flavored plants are highly drought and freeze tolerant. Sometimes referred to as garlic chives, these plants grow 12-15 inches tall and are hardy from Zone 5 though 8. The flat, light green leaves make an excellent addition to salads, soft cheeses and stir frys, and are often added to noodles, chicken and pork dishes in China, and miso soup in Japan. Pest free and remarkably prolific, a single plant can seed a 20 square foot area in one season.