Geisha Garlic Chives Seeds

Days to Maturity: 75 from direct sow

All-America Selections (AAS) Winner 2015

An absolute must-have for the well-dressed herb garden or container display, Geisha is an elegant garlic chive with long, slender stems that are wider and flatter than others. And the flavor is "more refined," according to the All-America Selections judges, who awarded Geisha top honors in 2015. Although highly aromatic and robustly flavored, it has a delicate, gourmet taste that isn?t too garlicky.

Chives go well with almost any savory dish, and the flowers can even be used as edible garnish. Cut the stems at the base or just snip the bit you need from the top. It grows back quickly and keeps the plant looking fresh and trimmed all season.

A member of the Allium family, Geisha grows easily in full sun. The plant reaches 12 to 15 inches high and spreads about 8 to 10 inches wide. It grows well in containers and makes perfect edging for borders and beds because it keeps pests away from the more delicate flowering plants within. Its beauty can stand alone or hold its own in large plantings. It buds and blooms quite late (extending your season), but you'll scarcely miss the chives when you see the butterflies flocking to the pure white flowers.

Since Geisha is a perennial, the seed you start in early spring or summer will produce plants for many years to come. To direct sow, place several seeds together in the planting hole. The slender green shoots will appear within a few weeks. Don't forget to plant a few around your roses—garlic chives are a rose's best friend for keeping pests at bay.