Allium schoenoprasum Rising Star

Allium schoenoprasum Rising Star is a lovely form of chives with beautifully coloured flowers, delicate pink stars streaked with purple. This small bulbous plant, which goes from the vegetable garden to the kitchen, forms clumps of long, finely aromatic leaves, whose subtle flavour is reminiscent of onion. It blooms in spring, then the vegetation tends to disappear in dry soil in summer. Very hardy, almost foolproof and as delightful as it is delicious, it grows in the sun, in any well-drained soil.

Chives, is Allium schoenoprasum in Latin. A perennial plant with an aromatic and flavourful bulb, it is one of the most popular herbs. It belongs to the allium family, the same as garlic, onion, and shallot. Its origins are in Europe, Western and Northern Asia, and even Northern America.

The Rising Star variety has a broad clump shape of about 12-15 cm (5-6in), composed of fine hollow and cylindrical, dark grey-green leaves and flowers from May to July. From the foliage clump, hollow stems emerge carrying spherical inflorescences about 15-20 cm (6-8in) above the ground and resembling small pompoms. Each 'pompom' is composed of numerous small edible star-shaped flowers, each pink petal crossed by a central purple line. The plant usually goes dormant after flowering: the foliage persists in moist soil but disappears in dry soil. It is a perennial plant that can grow for two or three years before becoming less productive. It will then need to be divided.

The fresh, garlicky, and slightly pungent taste of chives is suitable for many dishes, such as omelettes, stuffings, savoury tarts, and seasoning fresh cheeses... It is a must-have in herb gardens, but there is nothing stopping you from planting it everywhere in the garden, especially at the base of roses: its pompom-like flowering is quite charming and its smell repels aphids and prevents black spot disease making it a top companion plant.

Harvest: The Rising Star Chives harvest extends over a long period, from late spring to autumn, and is simply done by cutting the stems at the base of the clump with scissors. Regular harvests stimulate more foliage.

Storage: Chives can be stored for a few days in the refrigerator or for a few months by drying or freezing. To fully enjoy its fragrance consume it freshly picked.

Gardener's tip: To limit watering, we recommend mulching the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings mixed with dead leaves, from late May. This protection will keep the soil moist and reduce weeding.