Bulbous perennial of the Amaryllidaceae family, chives is one of the rare species of the genus with a circumpolar distribution, naturally present in Europe, Asia, and North America, in wet meadows, stream banks, and cool rocks, from plains to subalpine levels.
It forms dense clumps of cylindrical, hollow, fine leaves, of a bright green, with a mild and persistent garlic flavor — one of the most used herbs in European cuisine since Antiquity. In June-July, it produces globular umbels of lilac-pink flowers, very nectariferous, borne on stems 20-40 cm tall, which are themselves edible and decorative.
A most accommodating plant, it grows in sun or partial shade, in fresh to ordinary soils, and tolerates repeated cuttings that stimulate regrowth. Essential in the aromatic vegetable garden, it also finds its place in ornamental borders, where its flower pom-poms have real decorative appeal. It divides easily every two to three years to remain vigorous.