Allium schoenoprasum Corsican White

Allium schoenoprasum Corsican White is a vigorous form of chives with pure white flowers which goes from the vegetable garden to the kitchen to delight food lovers. This small bulbous plant forms clumps of long, dark green leaves that are finely aromatic, with a subtle flavour reminiscent of onions. It flowers in spring, with pure white pompon-like blooms, and then the vegetation tends to disappear in the dry summer soil. Very hardy, almost foolproof and as charming as it is delicious, it grows in the sun, in any well-drained soil, from moist to dry in summer.

Chives, Allium schoenoprasum in Latin. A perennial plant with an aromatic and flavourful bulb, it is one of the most popular herbs. It belongs to the allium family, the same as garlic, onion, and shallot. It originates from Europe, western and northern Asia, and even northern America.

The Corsican White variety, discovered in Corsica, has a bushy habit about 20 cm (8in) wide and consists of hollow, cylindrical, dark green leaves that are thicker than those of the typical species. It flowers from May to July. From the foliage, hollow stems emerge carrying round inflorescences about 20-30 cm (8-12in) above the ground, resembling small pompons. Each 'pompon' is composed of numerous small edible, pure white flowers with a green central line. The plant normally goes dormant after flowering: the foliage will persist in moist soil but disappear in dry soil. It is a perennial plant that can be grown undisturbed for two or three years, after that it tends to become less productive and will need to be divided.

The fresh, garlicky, and slightly pungent taste of chives is suitable for many dishes: omelettes, stuffings, savoury tarts, and seasoning fresh cheeses... It is a must-have in herb gardens, but you can also plant it throughout the garden, especially at the base of roses: its white pompon flowers are quite charming and its smell repels aphids and can prevent black spot disease. It is therefore a useful companion plant too.

Harvest: The harvest of Corsican White chives extends over a long period, from late spring to autumn, and is simply done by cutting the stems at the base of the clump with scissors. Regular harvests stimulate more leaves.

Storage: Chives can be stored for a few days in the refrigerator or for a few months by drying or freezing. However, to fully enjoy its fragrance, it is better freshly picked.

Gardener's tip: To reduce watering, we recommend mulching the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, ideally mixed with dead leaves, starting from late May. This protection keeps the soil moist and reduces weed growth.