The seeds are harvested just as they ripen to a light brown color. Chive leaves add a mild onion-like flavor to dips, soups, salads, casseroles and most vegetables. In May the plants produce small, attractive lavender flowers. Chive plants are started from bulbs similar to onion sets or from seed. You can divide clumps in early spring, keeping five to six bulblets for each new start.
Chives grow prolifically and spread rapidly.
Cut the fresh leaves of chives as needed during the growing season. A few clumps can be potted in late fall and kept indoors on a sunny windowsill, so the fresh leaves are available through the winter. The plant grows to a height of 2 feet and has a tendency to sprawl, unless it is kept trimmed. Lilac blue flower spikes appear in June. Sage should be planted in full sun and a moderately rich, well-drained soil.