herbaceous layer
chives
allium schoenoprasum
the allium scent scrambles the navigation of carrot fly and aphids. a ring of chives around fruit trees is old orchard wisdom that works.
functions
field guide
native to
Europe, Asia, North America
height
0.2–0.3 m
spread
clump-forming
hardiness
RHS H7 · USDA 3–9
light
full sun
moisture
moderate
soil
rich, moist but drained
uses
in the kitchen
leaves and the pompom flowers, mild onion flavour
harvest
snip leaves through the whole season
propagation
division of the clump, or seed
season
open the calendar →grower's notes
memberspropagation, guild role, and deeper ecology for chives — the members' view.
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relationships — grows well with
see chives on the relationship map →the takeaway
start a guild around chives
plant these together and the relationships on this page start working for you — feeders, protectors, and cover, layer by layer.
- herbaceous
- chives — the anchor
- canopy
- apple
- shrub
- blackcurrant
- groundcover
- wild strawberry
works inside: guild ring around a fruit tree · pest confusion planting · keyhole bed · herb spiral