What Do I Do With Bulbs Atop My Chives?

Chives

• Chives form clumps that arise from small underground bulbs. As perennials, chives continue to multiply from these bulbs year to year. Chives also multiply by producing seeds, borne in flowers atop stems. Removing flower bulbs before they open prompts plants to grow thicker foliage, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Leaving flower bulbs on chive plants and allowing them to blossom gives gardeners a harvest of seeds to sow or save for growing more plants.

Attracting Pollinators

• Leaving flower bulbs intact on chive plants allows blossoms to open, which attracts pollinators, especially bees. In recent years, declining bee populations have created challenges for gardeners. Providing as many plants as possible that are attractive to bees ensures higher pollination rates, which increase crop yields and ornamental flowers. Dr. Jim Cane, research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, lists chives as one of the herbs that are most attractive to bees. Planting chives around vegetable gardens helps lure pollinators that fertilize vegetable plants.

Culinary Uses

• Allowing flower bulbs to remain on chive plants rewards gardeners with many culinary benefits beyond using snipped stems for cooking or garnishing. Chive blossoms are beautiful and flavorful additions to herbal-infused vinegars. Chive blossoms, snipped from plants just as they open, form the base of an herb flower jelly. Chive flower petals, pulled individually from the flower head, are additions to salads, scrambled eggs and herb butter. Added to soups and stews, chive blossoms add a mild onion flavor.

Ornamental Uses

• Many suburban gardeners embrace an eclectic garden design by mixing edibles and ornamentals. Flowers, vegetables and herbs are not isolated from one another; instead, they grow in garden beds together, where they incorporate form and function. Serving multiple purposes, chives make a lovely green border edging for flower beds, in addition to being edible.