Photo by Mark
McDonough
Allium schoenoprasum 'Curly Mauve' is
one of my favorite chive cultivars. I've
grown a number of forms of chives, several of which were small, prostrate
growing
plants. This selection had obviously crossed with one of the larger
chive cultivars,
resulting in in this wonderful medusan variety unlike no other. I
have nicknamed it
"curly chives" for it's strong, irregular curling habit.
Despite the intense curling habit of the basal foliage, the flower stems
stand erect,
easily clearing the foliage with a forest of 12"-16"
stems. The flowers are a nice
lilac-mauve, making quite a show in the early summer garden.
After flowering, I shear the whole plant an inch or two from the base, to
avoid the prolific seed and to thwart the tendency for yellowing foliage
in
a psuedo-summer dormancy. Afterwards, the plants resprout with fresh
foliage that's upright and normal looking instead of curled and prostrate.
Next year, the coiled spring growth will be in evidence once again.
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