Glittering chive (Allium splendens)

At a glance

Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −28.9 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. This species is closely related to A. lineare. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough. Division in spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.

Edible uses

Bulb - raw, cooked or pickled. Leaves - raw or cooked. Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads.

Medicinal uses

Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system[K].

Material uses

The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles.