An Easy Edible Herb with Pretty Pom-Pom Flowers

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are one of the most rewarding herbs you can grow, a hardy perennial that returns every spring with a flush of slender, oniony leaves perfect for the kitchen, followed by cheerful lavender-pink pom-pom flowers that are both edible and adored by bees. Easy, tidy, and ornamental enough for the flower border, chives earn their place in any sunny Edina, Maple Grove, or Woodbury garden. Deer and rabbits leave them alone.

Landscape Uses

Grow chives in herb and vegetable gardens, sunny borders, and containers near the kitchen door. Both the leaves and flowers are edible, and the blooms double as a pollinator-friendly ornamental. Snip leaves all season for cooking.

Best Time to Plant

Plant in spring or early fall. Chives establish quickly and can be harvested lightly the first year.

How to Plant

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, water in well, and mulch lightly. Divide clumps every few years to keep them vigorous.

Watering

First Year: Water deeply 1–2 times per week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Water during dry spells. Chives are fairly drought tolerant once established.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line provides steady moisture for the freshest leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the flowers edible?
Yes, both the leaves and the lavender flowers are edible and make a pretty, oniony garnish.

How do I harvest chives?
Snip leaves with scissors near the base any time during the season; they regrow quickly.

Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, it's a Zone 3 perennial, fully hardy statewide, returning every spring.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes, the onion scent keeps deer and rabbits away.

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Pair chives with other culinary herbs and our ornamental alliums for a productive, pollinator-friendly kitchen garden.