Type Perennial (herbaceous)
Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Summer, Fall
Height 1 ft (31 cm)
Cultivation
Very easy, and rewarding. Average soil, and water needs. Sun, and semi-shaded locations, best. Once settled, they will pretty much take good care of themselves.
Propagation
Also very easy; either by seed (Spring, or as soon as the seeds are produced), or by division (do it in early Fall before the foliage disappears).
See May's Propagating ABC - Onion & Garlic Chives section, for more details.
Other
Great plant to enjoy in any, not just Kitchen Garden. Garlic Chives' buds, foliage and roots are all edible, and have established reputation as food, and remedy. Garlic Chives make great borders in a garden. Their tasty foliage, just like that of Sorrel, will be the first one to appear, in late Winter, or early Spring.
Chives save well. Just chop fresh foliage, put it in a microwavable bowl, cover with paper towel and microwave for about 30 seconds , remove from the oven, take the towel off and stir it a bit to let the moisture out, for a few seconds. If wet, repeat the process, till your chives are crispy. Save in a jar or a Ziploc bag.
Very handy garnish to enjoy for most of the year. Delicate flavor of Garlic Chives will be best appreciated either briefly blanched, or added fresh to season already cooked dishes.
Chinese, Koreans and other people of the region enjoy it chopped in dumplings, pancakes, clear soups. Blanched leaves are popular, mixed with noodles. Chopped flower buds are used to flavor stir fries.
I love to season salads, new (and old) potatoes, soups, sauces, and omelettes.
Cottage cheese, mixed with radishes and Chives tastes great, too!
I noticed that some of our family members who dislike onions and garlic, settle happily on milder taste of Garlic Chives, as an alternative.
Garlic Chives are believed to be good for improving kidneys' function. Some research shows that seeds of Garlic Chives have great nutritious potential as a source of healthy, unsaturated fats.
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References - Find more about: Hardiness Zones
Special Thanks
Special Thanks to Town & Country Gardens Contributors: blogger, bulabean, dive-angel (Karin), flickr, Jasmine&Roses, Rita Crane Photography. Rita Crane, daughter of LIFE magazine photographer Ralph Crane. Her work can be seen on Flickr at Rita Crane Photography or on her website., TMR Davies, Wikipedia, W.D. Williams
