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Chives is a cold tolerant perennial that grows easily in the Iowa garden. Its flowers begin blooming in mid spring. If deadheaded, they can be prolonged into mid summer. The tube-shaped leaves of the plant are edible to use as a spice in cooking. If you want a plant that is aromatic, edible, and easy to grow, chives are perfect.

Please note that the Zones listed above are USDA Hardiness Zones and are only given as a rough indication of whether a plant will grow and thrive in your area. Temperature variations and unusual weather conditions can affect plant survival. To assist plant survival during the winter, you may wish to place mulch over the areas in question or plant the flowers in an area away from walls or cement. Additionally, digging up bulbs and roots to overwinter indoors may be preferrable to keeping them in the ground.