Chives Garlic

Also known as Chinese chives due to their extensive use in Asian cuisine. Garlic chives produce broader leaves than ordinary chives, with a delicious and delicate garlic flavour. Edible, white star shaped flowers emerge from June to late August attracting a wide range of pollinators. Tasty addition to stir fries, salads, pastas and fish dishes.
 
Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum), also known as Chinese chives or Chinese leeks, are prized for their distinctive garlic flavor, slender leaves, and versatile uses in culinary, medicinal, and ecological contexts. With their robust growth habit, aromatic foliage, and flavorful taste, garlic chives are a popular choice for gardeners and chefs alike, offering both culinary delight and practical benefits.
 
Culinary Use:
Garlic chives are highly valued in Asian and international cuisines for their pungent garlic flavor and aromatic foliage. The flat, strap-like leaves of garlic chives can be used fresh or cooked, adding a savory, garlicky taste to a variety of dishes. They are commonly used in stir-fries, soups, dumplings, and savory pancakes, as well as in marinades, sauces, and salad dressings.
In addition to their leaves, garlic chive flowers are also edible and make a flavorful addition to salads, garnishes, and culinary creations. The white, star-shaped flowers have a mild garlic flavor and add visual interest to dishes. Garlic chive flowers can also be used to infuse vinegar or oils, creating flavorful condiments that enhance the taste of salads and sauces.
 
Planting and Harvesting:
Garlic chives are perennial herbs that thrive in well-drained soil and full sunlight to partial shade. When planting garlic chives, choose a location with good air circulation and fertile soil. 
To harvest garlic chives, snip off individual leaves as needed. Garlic chives can be harvested throughout the year and can be used fresh or dried for later use. Regular harvesting encourages continued growth and ensures a steady supply of fresh garlic chives for culinary endeavors.
 
Medicinal Use:
Garlic chives have a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese medicine. The leaves and bulbs of garlic chives contain compounds with potential health benefits, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
In herbal medicine, garlic chives are often used to support digestive health, boost immunity, and promote overall well-being. Garlic chive tea, brewed from the leaves or bulbs of the plant, is consumed as a tonic to aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, and relieve symptoms of colds and respiratory infections.
 
Ecological Benefits:
Garlic chives are highly attractive to pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, with their fragrant flowers and abundant nectar. By planting garlic chives in the garden, you can help support pollinator populations and promote biodiversity in the area. Bees, in particular, are drawn to the sweet scent of garlic chive flowers and rely on them for food and nectar.
In addition to their value as a pollinator plant, garlic chives also provide habitat and food for various beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help control garden pests. The dense foliage and hollow stems of garlic chives offer shelter for insects and small animals, contributing to the overall health and balance of the ecosystem.
 
Genus: Allium tuberosum
Aspect: Full Sun
Type: Perennial
Hardiness: Hardy
Height: 0.1- 0.5 metres 
Spread: 0.1 - 0.5 metres