Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are small, dainty, onion-like plants that grow in clumps reaching about 10 inches in height. They are a hardy perennial with decorative, light purple flowers, native to the Orient.  Chives were first used by the Chinese and then the ancient Greeks.  Fresh leaves are excellent for making herbal vinegars and butter.  It is also used in salads, soup, and cheese.  Chives are used to impart a delicious, subtle, onion-like flavour to foods.  Chives are easier to snip with scissors than cut with a knife. The snipped chives give a hint of onion flavor to egg dishes, omellettes, cheese soufflés, salads, soups, cream cheese sandwiches, and sour cream dressing for baked potatoes. Chive butter is excellent with grilled chops and steak