Allium tuberosum Seeds | Kobold Garlic Chives
LATIN NAME: Allium tuberosum
COMMON NAME: Garlic Chives
Plant Profile
Allium tuberosum, commonly known as Garlic Chives, is a herb in the onion family. No herb sits closer to kitchen door than garlic chive, and flat, pale leaves bring fine, mild garlic note without the fuss. Clump-forming, perennial plant carries flat, strap-like, dark-green leaves and round heads of small, white, starry flowers through late summer, and both leaves and buds are fine eating. Plant is a steady, generous presence of herb bed, border and pot, giving its pickings through warm season. Its appeal to pollinating insects adds a second, ecological layer to its ornamental one. Put simply, this is a rewarding species for anyone willing to give it a suitable spot.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Allium tuberosum ranges from the botany of the onion family to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Garlic chive is a steady subject of plant science, sitting in onion group and studied for fine, garlic-mild leaves. Raising it from seed today is a matter of ordinary good practice rather than specialist skill.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Garlic Chives earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Garlic chive is a fine, generous herb of kitchen and the border. Flat, strap-like leaves are snipped into stir-fries, dumplings, salads and eggs, giving fine, mild garlic note without heat, and round heads of white, starry flowers are picked young for flowerbud pickles. Clump multiplies year after year, giving its pickings through warm season from one planting. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
The onion family is one of the great medicinal plant groups: garlic, onions, leeks and their kin supply sulfur compounds such as allicin that have been studied extensively for cardiovascular and antimicrobial effects. Regular allium consumption is associated with several benefits in population studies, and garlic remains one of the world’s best-selling herbal supplements.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Garlic Chives under ordinary good conditions. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Garlic Chives repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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